---

The high school soccer regular season is coming to an end, and section soccer playoffs begin next Tuesday, October 13. Below, you will find the mostly final regular season results and a section preview for our local teams even though the playoff brackets have not been posted. The brackets, with game times and location, will be posted at mshsl.org this weekend.

North Branch Girls

The Viking girls were shut out three more times, all at home, to bring their season record to 0-14-0. They lost to the Duluth Denfeld Hunters 9-0, lost to the Princeton Tigers 3-0, and lost to the Monticello Magic 6-0. The Vikings have now just scored four goals on the season while giving up 93. Their final regular season game will be tomorrow at Big Lake High School against the Hornets at 7 p.m.

North Branch Boys

Ryan Neumann scored two unassisted goals in the first half as the Vikings (3-8-4) tied the Princeton Panthers 2-2 on Monday, October 5 at North Branch High School. Playing at home again the next day, the Vikings were shut out 2-0 by the Cloquet-Esko-Carlto Lumberjacks. The Vikings will finish out their regular season tonight at home versus the Mesabi East Giants at 5 p.m.

Chisago Lakes Girls

The Wildcat girls (6-6-2) fell to the Totino Grace Eagles 5-0 Saturday, October 3 at Totino Grace High School.  Emma Knabe scored the only goal of the game in the second half to lead the Wildcats to a 1-0 win over the Zimmerman Thunder Monday, October 5 at Zimmerman High School. The Wildcats finished out their regular season with a game last night against the St. Croix Academy Lions at St. Croix Academy.

Chisago Lakes Boys

The Wildcat boys lost to the Zimmerman Thunder 2-1 at Zimmerman High School on Monday, October 5. They will finish out their regular season at home tonight against the PACT Panthers at 6 p.m.

Section 4AA Preview

The Viking girls are seeded last in the six-team Section 7AA and will likely travel to Duluth to play the Duluth Denfeld Hunters next Tuesday. Expect a quick exit from the playoffs for the Vikings.

Based on the current Section 4AA rankings, the Wildcat girls will likely travel to Mahtomedi to play the Zephyrs in the opening round of the playoffs next Tuesday. The Wildcats keep themselves in nearly every game with excellent defense and solid play from goalkeeper Ruby Anderson. Senior striker Emma Kanbe, the Wildcats’ leading scorer, could be the difference in this game.

Based on the current Section 7AA rankings, the Wildcat boys will likely host the Viking boys in an opening round rematch of their 1-1 tie on October 1 at Chisago Lakes. The Wildcats had a chance to win on a late penalty kick, but Viking goalie Jackson Puelson stopped the initial shot and the rebound to keep the game tied. Puelston and his strong kicking leg could be the difference maker in the playoff rematch. Puelston’s long punt led to the Vikings’ only goal in their earlier matchup with the Wildcats.

In next week’s Press, we will preview the rest of the playoffs for any team that wins their opening game next Tuesday night.

---