Defending Class A champion Warroad defeated Proctor/Hermantown 3-2 last weekend in overtime and will face another good test in Orono. The Spartans have raised their competition with some games against Class AA opponents in Chaska/Chanhassen and White Bear Lake and have more than held their own.  

Orono's offense is led by forwards junior Alexa Niccum (2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points) and sophomore Zoe Lopez (4-1-5). Junior defenders Grace Bickett (1-3-4) and Allie Pleimann (0-2-2), along with sophomore Alex Paulsen (1-3-4), will be tasked with trying to slow down Warroad's attack. Senior goaltender Celia Dahl is well-seasoned and may be one of the best goaltenders in Class A.  

Warroad has plenty of swagger and lots of scoring depth returning from last year's championship squad. At forward, seniors Kate Johnson (Bemidji State commit), Rylee Bartz (Saint Thomas commit), and Talya Hendrickson (Bemidji State commit) are as good of a trio as you are going to find in Class A. Sophomore forward Kaiya Sandy (3-0-3) is off to a strong start as well.

On defense, seniors Lila Lanctot (1-1-2) and Jamestown, North Dakota transfer Lexi Kirkeby (0-2-2) will try to stifle Orono's offense. Warroad has split starts at goaltender between freshman Jordyn Werk and Northern Lakes transfer senior Kate Stephens.