St. Michael Girls' Soccer Looks to Take One More Step

You have to admire senior Andrea Boisner's confidence.

"We're making it to state, this year, I think," she said.

And her fellow senior captain Kara Hendrickson's assurance.

"You don't think. We know. We're making state."

The St. Michael-Albertville girls' soccer team was about a half-minute away from a golden ticket to state in 2010. Until Elk River caught a break, scored, and stole a trip to the Metrodome.

"I think it plays for us this year. I think you have to use that, a little," said Megan Johnson, head coach of the Knights. "This is a big year for us. It's the ninth year of our program. Our youth program is 12 years old. You can tell these girls grew up with the game."

A young squad that made big strides last year, the Knights are still young. Hendrickson and Boisner are two of just four seniors. And the team lost just three starters from last year's Mississippi 8 Conference runner-up.

"We have our highest numbers ever," Johnson said. "A huge freshman class comes in this year. We're going to be young, but we're going to be there."

St. Michael-Albertville will contend with Rogers, Monticello and Buffalo for conference supremacy. Becker or Big Lake may gain some ground, but it's still a four-team race.

Not that it matters to Boisner.

"We've done conference. We've come close in sections. It's time to go back to state. We did it our freshman year. It's time to go again," she said.

"We have a team that takes direction," Hendrickson said. "It's up to us to lead, and I think we've done that before. Now, we're such a family. We know how to play together."

The Knights will start their 2011 season Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Irondale tournament.

Their first home match will be 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 vs. Moorhead at the field behind the St. Michael Historic Church and Community Ed building.