2024 Adapted Soccer State Tournament: Advance Release

Sixteen Adapted Athletics Soccer programs will converge on White Bear Lake High School this weekend for the annual Minnesota State High School League’s state tournament. Quarterfinals in both the PI and CI Divisions will commence on Friday, Nov. 15, and Championship Saturday will follow. 

Between the PI and CI championship games, a special on-court recognition will take place. In late October, the League was recognized for its advocacy of adapted athletics and three decades of support when it was presented with the prestigious Founders Award by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs during a celebration in Atlanta. 

In 1992, the League’s Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly to support the inclusion of students with disabilities to participate in education-based activities. In doing so, the sponsorship was trailblazing as the League became the first state high school association to sanction adapted athletics.

On Saturday, League Executive Director Erich Martens and Randi Hill, the Adapted Athletics Tournament Director, will present the national award to the board of directors of the Minnesota Adapted Athletics Association in recognition of their work and partnership with the League. 

Here is a look at the tournament: 

PI Division

Friday, Nov. 15

Quarterfinals

• No. 1 Minneapolis South (7-0-0) vs. No. 8 South Suburban (0-7-0), 5 p.m.
• No. 4 Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka (4-3-0) vs. No. 5 Park Center (4-3), 5 p.m.
• N0. 3 Rochester (5-2-0) vs. No. 6 Anoka-Hennepin (2-5), 6:30 p.m.
• No. 2 Dakota United vs. No. 7 St. Paul Humboldt (1-6-0), 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16

• Consolation semifinals: 9 a.m.
• Championship semifinals: 10:30 a.m.
• Consolation final: 12:15 p.m.
• Third place: 2:15 p.m.
• Championship: 2:30 p.m.

Spotlight: Minneapolis South is the top seed and only undefeated team in the field. Among their seven wins this season, the Tigers have three shutouts. Included in their run of dominance is a 10-1 victory over Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka on Oct. 7. Minneapolis South was the PI runner-up a season ago. Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka is an annual state tournament participant. Since 2008, the Robins have been in the PI championship game 13 times. In that span, they have won nine championships, including seven in a row from 2008-2014. If both advance, South would meet the Robins in the semifinals. Dakota United, the PI state champion in 2022, is the No. 2 seed. 

CI Division

Friday, Nov. 15

Quarterfinals

• (1S) Stillwater/Mahtomedi (6-0-1) vs. (4N) South Suburban (5-4), 5 p.m.
• (2N) Buffalo/Monticello/St. Michael-Albertville (8-1-0) vs. (3S) Dakota United (6-1-1), 6:30 p.m.
• (2S) Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville (6-1-0) vs. (3N) St. Cloud Area (7-2-0), 8 p.m.
• (1N) Park Center (9-0-0) vs. (4S) South Washington County (5-3-0), 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16

• Consolation semifinals: 9 a.m.
• Championship semifinals: Noon
• Consolation final: 1:45 p.m.
• Third place: 3:45 p.m.
• Championship: 4 p.m.

Spotlight: This could be the most competitive field in tournament history. All eight teams have winning records, including (Park Center) with an undefeated record, Stillwater/Mahtomedi with no losses and one tie, Buffalo/Monticello/St. Michael-Albertville and Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville with one loss each and Dakota United with just one loss and one tie. Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville is the three-time defending champion. With last season’s title, the Blazing Cats equaled the mark of three consecutive crowns set by Park Center from 2015-2017. The Blazing Cats’ only loss this season was to Stillwater/Mahtomedi in the second game of the season. Stillwater/Mahtomedi placed fourth last season. Dakota United was the runner-up for the third consecutive time last season. Buffalo/Monticello/St. Michael-Albertville is making its state tournament debut. The St. Cloud Area Crush finished in third place last season. Park Center and South Washington County both lost in the consolation semifinals in 2023.