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2011 Season Preview

By Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune, 04/08/11, 12:25PM CDT

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Story lines to follow and players to watch this season


The Blake School's Meghan Bauer scored her second goal against Eden Prairie during the girls' state tournament lacrosse semifinals in Chanhassen. Star Tribune file photo

Ready to defend titles

Benilde-St. Margaret’s (boys) and Blake (girls) are the defending state champions, and they open the season ranked No. 1. Both teams welcome back key starters from last year’s championship squads. The Red Knights are led by seniors Zachary Silvestri on defense and Taylor Topousis in the midfield. The Bears have two of the state’s best in senior Hillary Crowe and junior Meghan Bauer.

Soaring Eagles

Eden Prairie’s boys’ team would like to enter the conversation about being possible state champions once again. The Eagles were the state runners-up in 2007 and 2008 but have failed to win their section each of the past two seasons. They are led by senior twin brothers Mitch and Matt Hugdahl. Mitch is headed to Georgetown, while Matt is bound for Wittenberg (Ohio).

Keeping up with the Joneses?

The Hugdahls aren’t the only set of twins who will have a major impact on the upcoming season. Edina’s girls’ squad has three Division I recruits, headed by seniors Brooke (goalie) and Paige Jones (attack). Both are  going to Northwestern.

10 boys to watch

Ben Bennett, Blake, sr. defense
Carson Cannon, Stillwater, sr. defense
Chase Fisher, Minnetonka, sr. midfield
Matt Hugdahl, Eden Prairie, sr. attack
Mitch Hugdahl, Eden Prairie, sr. midfield
Steven Kiesel, Breck, sr. midfield
George Ordway, Blake, sr. attack
Zachary Silvestri, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, sr. defense
Taylor Topousis, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, sr. midfield
Parker Weinstock,  Minnetonka, sr. midfield

10 girls to watch

Riley Allen, Eden Prairie, sr. defense
Meghan Bauer, Blake, jr. midfield
Hillary Crowe, Blake, sr. attack
Margaret Dobesh, Edina, sr. midfield
Hilary Duda, Minnetonka, jr. attack
Christine Easton, Eden Prairie, jr. midfield
McKenzie Johnson, Eden Prairie, soph. goalie
Brooke Jones, Edina, sr. goalie
Paige Jones, Edina, sr. attack
Sammi Reiter, Stillwater, sr. attack

Top five teams

BOYS
1. Benilde-St. Margaret’s
2. Eden Prairie
3. Eagan
4. Blake
5. Eastview

GIRLS
1. Blake
2. Eden Prairie
3. Edina
4. Stillwater
5. Mounds View

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