Last season the Faribault Falcon boys soccer team got hot late and finished as Section 2 Class A champions, earning their first trip to the state tournament.

They hope to repeat a trip to state this fall, but if they accomplish that goal it won't be surprising to many knowledgeable soccer coaches. The preseason soccer rankings are out and the Falcons are rated No. 6 in Class A.

Head coach Brendan Cox told KDHL/Power 96 throughout the playoff run last season his team's greatest asset was the ability to mesh different styles of soccer.

I know in their first game at St. Cloud State University the rest of the media in the press box was impressed with the speed Faribault showed. To a person, media covering the tournament told me the Falcons were the fastest team in the tournament.

Obviously you need more than speed to win a state title, but it certainly has to be a luxury to have that weapon on the pitch.

Faribault opens their season Saturday in New Prague at 1PM.

The Falcons' home opener is Tuesday when Section 2A opponent New Ulm comes to town for a 5PM game.

The other five home games for Faribault are September 6 at 7PM against Northfield, September 15 at 7PM against Rochester John Marshall, September 22 at 7PM against Red Wing, September 29 at 7PM against Owatonna, and October 6 at 7PM they close out the regular season with Mankato West.

Here are the preseason boys rankings courtesy of the Minnesota Boys Soccer Coaches Association.

Class 1A

  1. Orono
  2. Breck
  3. St. Thomas Academy
  4. Rochester Lourdes
  5. Sartell-St. Stephen
  6. Faribault
  7. Academy of Holy Angels
  8. St. Paul Como Park
  9. Totino-Grace
  10. Hermantown
  11. Benilde-St. Margaret's
  12. Mankato West

Class 2A

  1. Anoka
  2. North St. Paul
  3. East Ridge of Woodbury
  4. Edina
  5. Wayzata
  6. Stillwater
  7. Minnetonka
  8. Park Center
  9. Minneapolis Washburn
  10. Eastview of Apple Valley
  11. Bloomington Jefferson
  12. Minneapolis Southwest
  13. Eden Prairie
  14. Blaine
  15. Owatonna

The Falcon girls soccer team is looking for improvement under head coach Maddie Justin. They open their season at Martin Luther College and tangle with New Ulm at 5PM Tuesday.

Faribault's home opener is September 1 at 7PM when Rochester Mayo pays a visit.

Other home games include Winona September 8 at 7PM, Austin on September 13 at 7PM, Mankato East on September 20 at 7PM, Albert Lea on September 27 at 7PM, and Rochester Century on October 4 at 7PM.

These are the preseason girls soccer rankings:

Class A

  1. Benidle-St. Margaret's
  2. Orono
  3. Mahtomedi
  4. Academy of Holy Angels
  5. Totino-Grace
  6. Blake
  7. Princeton
  8. DeLasalle
  9. Minnehaha Academy
  10. Hermantown
  11. Hill-Murray
  12. Sartell-St. Stephen
  13. St. Paul Academy
  14. Cloquet
  15. Visitation
  16. LaCrescent
Faribault defending their goal during State Tournament Nov. 4, 2015
Faribault defending their goal during State Tournament Nov. 4, 2015
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