8 Teams secure A TRIP TO THE 2026 STATE TOURNAMENT
The brackets are locked, the section finals are wrapped, and the field is officially set. Eight teams have punched their tickets to the single-class state tournament beginning June 9, and the matchups promise absolute fire from the opening whistle.
From massive dynasty-ending upsets to double-overtime thrillers, here is your definitive look at the eight squads that survived the section gauntlet to secure their bid to state.
The State-Bound Field
Section 1: Lakeville South The Cougars are heading back to a familiar stage after locking down a massive section tournament upset over top-seeded Farmington. Lakeville South is a staple name in the state tournament. Their tournament experience, athletic transition play, and ability to peak at the perfect time make them a dangerous opening-round draw.
Section 2: Minnetonka The Skippers survived the absolute game of the tournament to punch their ticket, outlasting a phenomenal Orono squad in a heart-stopping double-overtime thriller. Minnetonka boasts one of the most explosive, high-powered offenses in the state and proved they have the gritty resilience to survive maximum pressure.
Section 3: Cretin-Derham Hall The Raiders captured the Section 3 crown with a clinical performance, shutting down Park of Cottage Grove to extend their season. Built on highly organized defensive sets and highly efficient transition play, CDH possesses the discipline needed to lock down high-powered offenses in the state field.
Section 4: Stillwater The Ponies are back on the hunt for a state title with pure redemption on their minds. After making it all the way to the state championship game last year and dropping a heartbreaking final to Prior Lake, Stillwater cleared the Section 4 bracket with one singular goal: finishing the job. This is a highly motivated, veteran group that plays a smart, high-IQ brand of lacrosse, using disciplined offensive sets and a physical ride to dictate tempo and put themselves back in a position to win it all.
Section 5: Wayzata The Trojans scraped by the ultimate hurdle, avenging past demons by taking down Maple Grove, the reigning section champions who represented Section 5 at state last year. Wayzata is playing their best lacrosse at the perfect time, leaning on defensive discipline and massive second-half surges to clear the section gauntlet.
Section 6: Edina Giant-killers. The Hornets pulled off the ultimate statement win by taking down Prior Lake, ending a dominant dynasty that captured the state crown last year. Edina plays a highly physical, athletic style and possesses the elite depth and massive momentum needed to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the bracket.
Section 7: Chisago Lakes The Wildcats protected their flawless record but had to survive an absolute classic to do it. Facing down a relentless Centennial squad, Chisago Lakes clutched out a thrilling 11-10 victory to secure their state tournament bid, proving their explosive offense handles high-stakes pressure with pure poise.
Section 8: Buffalo The Bison didn't just win Section 8, they completely destroyed their bracket. Buffalo capped off a dominant playoff run by putting on an absolute clinic in the final, weaponizing an unstoppable offensive explosion to drop a massive 21-7 victory over St. Michael-Albertville.
The Quarterfinal Schedule (Tuesday, June 9)
White Bear Lake High School is the place to be on Tuesday. The entire quarterfinal round takes over a single site for a back-to-back lacrosse marathon. Here is how the opening-round schedule shakes out:
9:00 AM – Quarterfinal Matchup 1
11:00 AM – Quarterfinal Matchup 2
1:00 PM – Quarterfinal Matchup 3
3:00 PM – Quarterfinal Matchup 4
Stay locked on Lake State Lax as the official seeding and final bracket placements drop ahead of Tuesday's opening whistle.