A trip to the Jet City has Maple Grove taking off this year.

The Crimson traveled to Seattle prior to the regular season, a first-of-its-kind move designed to help jumpstart the process of jelling a roster that contained more underclassmen than upperclassmen.

“We did something new,” Maple Grove coach Gig Willson. “We spent a week out there practicing and playing and just being a team.” 

The trek has helped the Crimson open the year with four consecutive victories, including a 14-6 win over Northwest Suburban Conference rival Blaine on a rainy Friday night at Maple Grove High School.

The Crimson’s success in the precipitation wasn't due to any special knowledge picked up while playing in the often damp Pacific Northwest. Willson said the team played only one day in the rain while in Seattle.

Instead, the victory was a result of a solid team effort and balanced scoring. Seven players tallied goals led by senior midfielder Sam Holland and sophomore attackman Hunter House, who each finished with three.

Holland credited the trip for helping strengthen the players’ relationships and said those bonds are key in the team’s success.

Sophomore goalie Frank Gates said his teammates had fun getting to know each other off the field, which including some humorous moments involving the players giving each other nicknames.

Both Gates and Holland are using the trip as a springboard to a big season. 

Holland already has eight goals and has emerged as one of Maple Grove’s top scorers. 

“He’s off to a great start,” Willson said. 

It's a start that Holland attributes to another sport. 

Holland, who did not play with the Crimson as a junior, spent time participating in Ultimate Frisbee. The sport, which is similar to lacrosse and played on a pitch nearly the same size as a football field, requires plenty of running, and Holland said it helped him get in shape for this season.

Lacrosse, however, is still his No. 1 sport. 

“I love lacrosse,” said Holland, who started playing lacrosse at age 6 . 

Gates has started every game in goal this season after seeing just 29 minutes of action and recording two saves as a freshman.

“We thrust him right into the spotlight, and he’s learning and absorbing it quite well,” Willson said. 

Gates gave up 12 goals to Anoka in the season opener, but hasn’t allowed more than eight in the last three games. He also has 29 saves.

Gates said he’s enjoying his new role.

“It’s a big responsibly, and I like being able to support the team and be in that spot,” he added.

Holland is happy to have Gates in goal and said the rest of the underclassmen could to be a boon to the Crimson this season.

“We love having a younger team because they mature really fast and become good really quick,” Holland said.

Senior midfielder Sam Holland had three first-quarter goals to help Maple Grove remain unbeaten by defeating Blaine 14-6 in a Northwest Suburban Conference matchup on a rainy and cold Friday night at Maple Grove High School. 

A large crowd of shivering fans sitting under umbrellas filled the bleachers and watched sophomore attackman Hunter House also score three goals for the Crimson (4-0), who had a 10-goal cushion for most of the game. 

Maple Grove also got two goals each from sophomore Matt Sivanich, junior midfielder Tom Wolden and freshman attackman Cole Naasko, who scored his first two goals of the season.

Crimson goalie Frank Gates picked up the win with a solid in the net, saving 10 shots. 

Junior attackman John Hicke finished with four goals and junior midfielder Ridge Gerads had the other two for the Bengals (4-1).

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