Minnesota high school soccer: Boys', girls' state semifinal previews

Repeat champions are possible in both classes of boys' soccer while the girls' soccer state tournament is assured of crowning new winners. The semifinals start Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium, with the boys' Class 2A matches in the morning, followed by the 1A boys and 1A girls. Semifinals for the 2A girls are Tuesday. Championship games in all four classes are Thursday. Here's a look at the matchups:

Wayzata (18-0-2) vs. Maple Grove (16-1-2)

When: 8 a.m. Monday

Wayzata at a glance: Patrick Weah and Ethan Wagner lead a high-scoring attack averaging four goals per game. Senior Erik Williams stepped up with back-to-back second-half goals against Mounds View in the quarterfinals.

Maple Grove at a glance: Junior forward Alex Downing leads the Crimson in postseason scoring with four goals in as many games. Senior forward Jeff Clune has two — including the overtime winner in the quarterfinals.

Key to watch: Maple Grove, last at state in 2014, aims to reach its first title game since 1998. Wayzata was undefeated going into the championship game last fall but fell short of capturing its third title.

Stillwater (17-1-2) vs. Duluth East (19-1-0)

Stillwater at a glance: Spencer Scott is the unquestioned leader of the Ponies offense. He had a hand in both Stillwater goals in a quarterfinal victory over Apple Valley. The Ponies are the defending Class 2A champions.

Duluth East at a glance: The Greyhounds charged through their section, scoring at least five goals in each game, but it was their defense that got them past Lake-ville North in the quarterfinals.

Key to watch: Neither team has allowed a goal in the playoffs. This contest could come down to whichever goaltender — Fred LeClair for the Ponies or Matthew Campbell for the Greyhounds — comes up bigger.

Totino-Grace (17-1-1) vs. Orono (16-3-2)

When: Noon Monday

Orono at a glance: Senior midfielder Christian Babo is the Spartans' orchestrator with 14 goals and 20 assists. After scoring an overtime winner in the quarterfinals, senior forward Guyvenson Mohs pushed his team-leading goal count to 22.

Key to watch: Totino-Grace had an easier time in the quarterfinals, defeating Chisago Lakes 4-0. Orono trailed at halftime before winning 3-2 in overtime. Something's got to give.

St. Thomas Academy (15-1-3) vs. Austin (18-0-2)

When: 2 p.m. Monday

St. Thomas Academy at a glance: The defending 1A champions are averaging four goals per game this postseason and have allowed only two scores in their past four games. Logan Davis, Vernon Lonvegreen, Alex Tsobankis and Amaneuel Bird all scored in the quarterfinal win.

Key to watch: The Cadets score in bunches, but Okal and the Packers also like playing up-tempo. Don't be surprised by a defensive game that comes down to which team can execute its set pieces better.

Wayzata (16-0-3) vs. Eagan (15-2-2)

When: Noon Tuesday

Wayzata at a glance: All-Metro selection Marissa Kalkar was lost to a knee injury, but the Trojans' depth shows why they remain the only unbeaten in 2A. Sophomore forward Samantha Dietrick tallied a hat trick in the quarterfinals while the defense posted its 14th shutout.

Eagan at a glance: Captains Lauren Boike, Molly Busch, Megan Plaschko and Kayla Vrieze were on the 2015 state championship team. Vrieze and Busch are the team's leading scorers, Boike made the All-South Suburban Conference team, and Plaschko has posted nine shutouts.

Maple Grove (18-2) vs. Lakeville North (10-5-4)

When: 2 p.m. Tuesday

Maple Grove at a glance: Led by Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year Meredith Haakenson, the Crimson are playing in their first state tournament in program history. Haakenson's supporting cast features forwards Mannon McManon and Mia Omar, who have each scored three playoff goals.

Lakeville North at a glance: With sound defense in front of her, senior goalie Margaret Flaherty has allowed only one goal in four playoff games. The Panthers, making their seventh consecutive state appearance, are led offensively by Rachel Preston.

Key to watch: Haakenson will attack the Panthers defense often to force scoring chances. Lakeville North needs to generate its own chances for Preston to keep pace.

When: 4 p.m. Monday

Orono at a glance: Balanced scoring and strong defense are hallmarks of the top-seeded Spartans. Six Orono players have scored at least seven goals this year, led by Sarah Johnston and Anna Tesar with 11 apiece. Goalie Clare Gagne has saved 72 shots.

Visitation at a glance: The fifth-seeded Blazers have won nine of their past 10 games, a stretch that includes a shootout victory over Blake in the quarterfinals. They're making their first state appearance since 2001.

Key to watch: Orono's defense has allowed just six goals all season and posted 15 shutouts.

Mahtomedi (15-3-2) vs. North Brance (16-3-1)

Mahtomedi at a glance: If the Zephyrs control possession, they make teams pay, with an average of 3.2 goals per game. Part of that credit goes to senior all-metro defender Peyton Nelson, who keeps opposing offenses at bay.

North Branch at a glance: Sisters Khyah Harper, a freshman, and Mercedey Harper, a junior, have more than 20 goals apiece. The Vikings also allow just 1.7 goals per game.

Key to watch: Mahtomedi's defense will need to play stout to contain the Harper sisters and a Vikings team fresh off a 2-1 upset victory over previously unbeaten Mankato West.

David La Vaque, Joe Gunther, Michael Hughes, Ellis L. Williams, Nate Gotlieb and Matthew Davis