Dodge County at St. Paul United
2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16

St. Paul United recorded a forfeit victory and gained a state tournament bid in 2014 when Achiever Academy withdrew from the Class 1A, Section 4 championship game amidst concerns over the eligibility of several players.

This year’s United team would like to earn a trip to state with win, even more so after falling 2-1 in overtime to South St. Paul in last year's Section 4 title game.

St. Paul United (18-1-1), ranked No. 3 in the Class 1A coaches' poll, bolstered its chances with the addition of Sena Hanson to an already potent forward group that features Sam Burke and Joie Phelps, a Cornell commit.

Hanson, a Brown commit, posted 24 goals and 27 assists with Irondale last season.

Burke (20-24-44), Phelps (18-23-41) and Hanson (20-22-42) lead a United offense that averages 5.60 goals per game, while goalie Catherine Johnson (15-1-1, 0.94 goals-against average, .943 save percentage), a Minnesota-Duluth commit, anchors the defense and has eight of the team’s 10 shutouts this season.

Only twice this year has No. 12-2A Dodge County (11-6-3) allowed 30 or more shots in a game, a result of the Wildcats' ability take away time and space with their speed.

It also helps having Minnesota commit Katie Robinson (7-22-29), a defender who plays a hybrid role for the team, on the blue line. Bella Wagner (19-12-31) and Molly Shelton (12-6-18) help lead Dodge County's offense.

The Wildcats advanced to the Class 2A, Section 1 title game two years ago but are still in search of the program’s first state tournament berth.