Holding up a section championship trophy at midfield is starting to become a habit for the White Bear Lake boys’ lacrosse team.

The Bears captured their third consecutive section title in a dominant performance Wednesday at Park Center High School, defeating Osseo/Park Center 21-4 in the Section 5 championship game and advancing to next week’s state tournament. 

The goals came early and often for top-seeded White Bear Lake (15-1). Senior midfielder Connar Dehnert had three of the Bears’ nine first-quarter goals. The Lafayette commit finished the game with five goals, bringing his season total to a team-high 55.

Osseo/Park Center midfielder Mason Hautala tried to keep his team in the game, tying up the game 1-1 early in the first. However, White Bear Lake went on a 4-0 run before third-seeded Osseo/Park Center (10-6) scored again. The Bears continued scoring and went into halftime leading 15-2.

Dehnert and White Bear Lake offensive onslaught came before a heavy rainfall caused puddles to form all over the field. With a large lead, the Bears were able to relax while staying in control of the game.

“We keep trying to make sure we’re doing the little things,” Dehnert said.

Attackmen Joey Goudreau and Matt Swanson each scored four goals while attackman Charles Bill had three for White Bear Lake. 

Osseo/Park Center attackmen Noah Fleming and Daman Lingasin finished with a goal apiece.

The Bears will make their fourth state tournament appearance in the last five seasons. White Bear Lake lost to eventual champion Eden Prairie in the first round of last year’s tournament. For Bears coach Brandon Husak, the state tournament is a brand new season.

“We have to get focused again and dig in,” Husak said. “We’re going to face much harder teams in the state tournament.”

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