By Jake Schroer
Crow River News Sports
After falling 3-2 to the Rogers Royals in the section final last season, Megan Johnson and the STMA girls’ soccer team wants to get back on track and get back into a position to win its way to the state tournament.
This season, the state tournament semifinal and final rounds will take place at the glitzy new home of the Minnesota Vikings, US Bank Stadium. This, Johnson noted, adds a little motivation on top of losing to Rogers to end the season.
“Every time we’ve made it to state, we haven’t gone past the first round. So that’s our goal, to make it to state, to win that first game outside and to play at the Bank,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that the culture around STMA is one of excellence, and the soccer team under her has always strived for it. This has only heightened around the school since the STMA football team won the Class 5A championship back in November.
“We’d love to be there as well, so we’re gonna do everything we can to prepare for that,” Johnson said.
Coming back for the Knights this year are senior captains Makenzie Langdok, Carly Jo Gamrath, and currently-injured Addie Johnson along with some others. STMA also has some new players who have looked good, according to Johnson.
One of those newer players, returning from a bench role last season is Samantha Och, who saw time as an eighth-grader in 2015.
“We really look to her as a freshman to come out strong and be a strong force on the attack,” Johnson said. Carolyn Bania steps into the role of starting goalkeeper this season as a junior. Molly Young also joins the team, among others.
STMA’s goals remain the same; do everything possible to win the Mississippi 8 conference, win the section tournament and get to the state tournament.
“We really are setting those goals high,” Johnson said.
Langdok and the other seniors are the driving force for the team. For them, this is it, and they want to carry the team as far as they can, Johnson said.
Johnson looks forward to playing East Ridge in an early season game. Rogers is another team Johnson looks forward to seeing in action. Burnsville and Apple Valley should also provide some good competition for the Lady Knights, Johnson said.
“The girls are ready to go. They have trained hard this summer and put that extra time in with their fitness, and strength, and hopefully good things will come.”
STMA begins play against Elk River Thursday night on the road.