St. Croix Lutheran at New Life Academy
7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28

It’s not just the Twin Cities’ big schools that have state tournament aspirations. Two of the better small-school teams around also call the metro area home and square off in the first week of the season when St. Croix Lutheran (West St. Paul) travels to New Life Academy (Woodbury).

The Crusaders missed out on the state tournament last year despite a 31-victory season, but now must replace graduated All-Staters Kira Grev and Afton Sobasky. Coach Rachel Grev does return her other four starters, however, and remains a favorite in Section 4AA.

New Life Academy is on the rise, winning 20 matches last fall with a young lineup anchored by juniors Abby Gorter, Kara Stenerson and Abby Thor. That “big three” has coach Wally Bomgren thinking big in Section 4A, where defending state champion Southwest Christian also resides but was decimated by graduation.