Fearless.

It’s the one word Tremper boys soccer coach Chris Tindall uses frequently to describe a team that appears to have all the odds clearly stacked against it.

The Trojans (22-1-3) attempt to snap a 25-year scoring drought at the State Tournament — without arguably their top-two offensive players — in facing nemesis Muskego (24-1-1) in a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division-1 quarterfinal match 7 tonight at Uihlein Park in Milwaukee.

The winner plays either fourth-ranked Arrowhead (18-2-3) or top-ranked Marquette (18-4-1) in a State semifinal 7 p.m. Friday. The championship game is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Making its seventh State appearance, Tremper hasn’t scored at State since netting a pair of goals in its first-ever trip in 1984.

“It’s one thing to get (to State),” Tindall said. “From day one this year, we’ve talked about not only getting there but staying for a bit. Step one is putting one in the net (tonight).”

Tremper, ranked sixth in Division-1 in the latest Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association poll, faces a familiar opponent in heated Southeast Conference rival Muskego. The third-ranked Warriors handed the Trojans their lone defeat in a thrilling 2-1 contest on Sept. 11 in Muskego.

Tremper has lost six of its last eight matches against Muskego, including back-to-back postseason losses in the 2004 and 2005 sectional semifinals. The Trojans haven’t beaten the Warriors since claiming a 3-2 win in the 2005 regular season.

“We’ve had some classic matchups with them in nearly every game,” Tindall said. “This is a team we feel has gotten the better of us a few times. There won’t be a lot of secrets in this one.”

The Trojans will be without junior David Caban and senior Jesus Oseguera. Caban is ineligible due to a previous commitment with the U-18 Men’s National Team, while Oseguera must sit out one game due to a red card issued in Saturday’s 2-1 overtime victory over Lake Geneva Badger in the sectional final.

Oseguera and Caban combined for a whopping 39 goals this season. The Trojans are also led by senior Nathan Oster and juniors Henrik Egly and Matt Vecchitto.

“Fortunately for us, we still have other guys than can be dangerous with the ball,” Tindall said. “Vecchitto scored both goals against Badger. Oster is just a beast. Egly can make people look silly with what he can do.”

Expect Tremper to change its formation with midfielder Nathan Coe moving from center to outside and freshman defender Ben Gunhus moving into the starting lineup. Gunhus was a postseason call-up from the junior varsity.

Muskego is led by Riley Weiner. The senior midfielder led the team with 18 goals heading into the sectional.

“It seems like he’s been there for eight years now,” Tindall said. “He’s real smooth on the ball and a great decision-maker. Giving the opportunity, he’ll hammer one on goal and punish you.”