Following each huddle during the Section 4 quarterfinal game against Stillwater, Blaine would not end by cheering ‘Bengals’ -- the school’s mascot -- but rather by shouting ‘team’ before retaking the field.

That mentality propelled the Bengals to a 6-3 victory over Stillwater on Thursday, May 26, at the National Sports Center.

A solid team effort was praised by the Blaine coaching staff after the low scoring game, in which each goal seemed more crucial than the last.

Mike Cameron demonstrated how important every goal is as the senior attackman scored both the first goal of the game as well as a tone-setting goal towards the beginning of the second half.

“I got goose-bumps after the first one,” Cameron said. “I knew I had to bury them.”

Three additional Bengals found the scorer’s column as junior midfielder Jake Thomas also scored two goals, sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Nadeau notched a goal as well as an assist and senior attackman Michael Culshaw-Maurer contributed one goal.

“I think (the game) was everything as advertised -- two really good teams that have been overlooked by a lot of other programs and opinionated people,” Blaine coach Josh Swart said. “It was back and forth, great defense on both sides and some really good players out there.”

As the final horn sounded, Blaine swarmed their sophomore goaltender, Brendan Nadeau, in celebration as though they were an underdog -- despite being the higher seed.

“It feels great,” Cameron said. “We played solid defense and our offense was clicking. We were finishing shots and we felt good. Good energy.”

Blaine will be looking to carry that energy into next week’s Section 4 semifinal matchup against top-seeded Mahtomedi.

“I hope it continues,” Swart said. “I hope the guys can find this energy. It's kind of nice -- this is the first time all year that we're totally healthy.

“I'm hoping that between being healthy and the momentum we can take from this it will be a good matchup against Mahtomedi.”

Blaine, the section’s fourth seed, travels to Mahtomedi and will face the Zephyrs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31.

It is obvious that scoring goals is necessary to win but making big saves and a dependable defense can prove to be the difference in a close game.

Such was the case on Thursday, May 26, as Blaine defeated Stillwater 6-3 in the Section 4 quarterfinal matchup at the National Sports Center.

“We knew we had to play solid defense and shut them down,” Blaine senior attackman Mike Cameron said. “We knew what they had from last game and we know what beat them last game.

“We put that together and took it to them.”

One area of concern for Blaine was Stillwater's dangerous junior attackman Sam Mathieu.

"Ben Becker did a heck of a job on their big gun Sam (Mathieu)," Swart said. "I thought that was a pretty even matchup throughout most of it.

"(Becker) is a great basketball player so we just matched him up and just said 'Play basketball with (Mathieu) and anytime he gets in tight, just shove him around.' Ben did a great job for only playing lacrosse for two years."

Tough defense by Blaine’s midfielders kept the Stillwater midfield threats from finding the back of the net and excellent play between the pipes by sophomore goaltender Brendan Nadeau.

“This is (Nadeau’s) first year as a starter, he's a sophomore,” Blaine coach Josh Swart said. “He goes through some growing pains once in a while and gets real hard on himself but he can flat out play. He's huge (for us).

“He's a very good athlete and I'm very excited to have him for the next two years if everything works out.”

With Nadeau making 10 saves and posting a .769 save percentage and the Blaine defense keeping Stillwater’s shot totals low, the Bengals had a recipe for success.

“We had to have a positive mental attitude,” Cameron said. “(The victory) feels great”

Though Stillwater saw its 2011 season come to an end with the 6-3 loss to Blaine, the Ponies continue to gain respect in the MSHSL.

Stillwater finished the year with an 8-6 record and, more importantly, a promising future.

Ninth-grade goaltender Turner Uppgren started each of the Ponies' 14 games and ended the season with an impressive .698 save percentage.

Uppgren made 12 saves against Blaine during the loss.

Knowing full well that Stillwater’s Sam Mathieu had posted 12 points (six goals, six assists) in a first-round section playoff victory against Anoka on Tuesday, May 24, Blaine coach Josh Swart understood the Bengals needed a game plan for the Ponies’ junior attackman.

“With a guy (Mathieu) that's that good, we were tempted to maybe switch to completely locking him out,” Swart said.

Despite the extra attention, Mathieu still managed to score all three of Stillwater's goals against Blaine.

Mathieu scored 64 points (42 goals, 22 assists) during the year and will return as a team captain in 2012.

An obvious loss will be Stillwater's standout senior defenseman and Mr. Lacrosse finalist, Carson Cannon who will play NCAA DI lacrosse at Denver University.

1. Mike Cameron, Blaine
The senior attackman scored two timely goals that played a huge role in the Blaine victory. Cameron scored the game's first goal and also notched the first tally of a tense second half that set the tone for the remainder of the game.

2. Brendan Nadeau, Blaine
Nadeau -- only a sophomore in his first year as the varsity starting goaltender -- didn't show his age but rather showed poise in net as he made 10 big saves for only his second career playoff victory. Several of those saves came from Stillwater's opportunities on the doorstep and in the low scoring game those stops proved to be the difference.

3. Sam Mathieu, Stillwater
After posting a staggering 12 points (six goals, six assists) in the first-round section playoff victory over Anoka, Mathieu drew heavy attention from the Blaine defense. Not a problem for the shifty, junior attackman who still found a way to score three goals. Mathieu showed what a threat he is as he quarterbacked the Stillwater offense.

Mike Cameron and Jake Thomas scored two goals each and Brendan Nadeau made 10 saves as Blaine defeated Stillwater 6-3 in the Section 4 quarterfinals on Thursday, May 26.

Nadeau earned his second career playoff victory as a varsity starting goaltender and posted an above average .769 save percentage.

Mackenzie Nadeau and Michael Culshaw-Maurer also scored for the Bengals.

Stillwater's stellar attackman Sam Mathieu found a way to score all three of the Ponies' goals -- two of them coming in the fourth quarter -- despite excellent defense by Blaine defenseman Ben Becker.

Ninth-grader Turner Uppgren made 12 saves for the Ponies as Stillwater finishes the 2011 season with an 8-6 record.

With the win, Blaine advances to the Section 4 semifinals. The Bengals will face top-seeded Mahtomedi at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at Mahtomedi High School.

Regular Season

Section 4 Playoffs

Regular Season

Section Playoffs

Regular Season

Section 4 Playoffs

Regular Season

Section 4 Playoffs