TROY — Two teams will represent Oakland County at the Michigan High School Athletic Association boys lacrosse state finals today.

In Division 1, Birmingham Brother Rice will take on U-D Jesuit at 2 p.m. The two teams met in the state finals last season and Brother Rice won that game, 16-8. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s will take on the defending Division 2 state champion East Grand Rapids in the second game.

Both games will be played at Troy Athens High School.

“We set our goals real high every year,” Brother Rice head coach Rob Ambrose said. “It’s a real honor to get there again.”

The Warriors (19-3) have a strong tradition of lacrosse excellence. With Ambrose at the helm, the Warriors have played in the state championship game ever since 1995.

Although lacrosse did not become a sanctioned varsity sport by the MHSAA until 2005, the Warriors competed as a club team starting in 1995. They have never lost to an in-state opponent. Today, Brother Rice will look to win its eighth straight state championship.

“Every year, our goals are to be the best in the Catholic League, be the best in the state, and among the best in the Midwest,” Ambrose said.

Currently, the Warriors are ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 12 in the nation by laxpower.com.

Senior Nick Dolik was named Midwest Player of the Year by the Midwest Lacrosse Coaches Association this season. He scored three goals and had three assist in the Warriors’ 11-5 semifinal win against Novi Detroit Catholic Central.

“Dolik is a great player,” Ambrose said. “He’s always very focused and we rely heavily on him. But at the end of the day, he’s just one guy. Everybody is going to have to play well for us to win.”

Dolik will be playing at Penn State next season. Teammate Dan Henneghan will also be a Nittany Lion next year. Other members of the Warriors who will be playing in college next season include T.J. Yost (Quinnipiac), Bryan Walker (Yale), and Peter Plaskey (undecided).

Despite his team’s dominance, Ambrose knows Jesuit will present a challenge.

“Playing any Catholic team is bound to be a tough game,” Ambrose said. “I know they (Jesuit) are very determined. Playing them three times in a season also doesn’t make things any easier.”

Brother Rice has already defeated U-D Jesuit twice this year.

In Division 2, St. Mary’s will have to face an unfamiliar opponent in East Grand Rapids.

“We’re not too familiar with them because we haven’t had the chance to play them or scout them this year,” St. Mary’s head coach Greg Normand said after practice on Thursday.

“They’re the defending state champs, so we know that much. It’s obvious that they’ve got some talent.”

East Grand Rapids defeated Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 11-9, in the semifinals. The Pioneers (16-4) have one of the state’s top goal scorers in Joe Glendening.

However, the Eaglets (18-4) have some talent as well. Ian Brambs led the Eaglets with 51 goals and 83 assist this season. Teammate Drew Schupbach is also a potent offensive threat. Schupbach scored the final two goals in St. Mary’s 13-12, overtime semifinal game against Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.

St. Mary’s has never won an MHSAA state championship in lacrosse.

“We’re excited because there’s only four teams left playing in the state and we’re one of them,” Normand said. “But we’re not going there just to be a part of the dance. Our mindset is that we’re going there to win and we won’t be happy with anything less.”