Quarterfinal Three: River Lakes (13-5-2) vs. No. 1 Gentry Academy (17-2) 

River Lakes has turned its season around since a 2-4-1 stretch between mid-February and early March, winning four straight games, including a 3-2 win over top-seeded Willmar in the Section 6-1A final, avenging two regular-season losses against the Cardinals.  

A pair of Roeske’s lead the Stars into the state tournament, with junior defender Kianna Roeske (13-7-20) leading the team in scoring and eighth-grade goaltender Kianna posting a goals-against-average of 1.65 and a save percentage of .936. 

Gentry Academy has been riding the No. 1 slot in the YHH Staff Rankings since Valentine’s Day, and the Stars have done little to shake the confidence of the ranker. The Stars survived a three-goal a second period from South St. Paul to escape the Section 4-1A final with a 5-4 win and will make an appearance at the Xcel Energy Center in the school’s first season at the MSHSL Varsity level. 

The Stars are one of the most balanced teams in the state, with seven players recording 20 or more points this season. Sophomore forward Cara Sajevic (23-14-37) leads the team and forward group in scoring, while sophomore defenders JuliAnna and Jenessa Gazdik pace the blueliners with eight goals and 27 points each.