---

North Branch 4

St. Michael-Alb. 1

The win was perfect, or as close to perfect as North Branch head girls soccer coach, Kristen Hetland, can expect one game into the year. Pass the ball well....check. Get your best players involved.....check. Score lots of goals....check.

The Vikings accomplished all of the above last Thursday, defeating St. Michael-Albertville 4-1, moving to 1-0 on the season.

Tied 1-1 at the half, North Branch exploded with one scoring chance after another in the second. The constant pressure resulted in three goals, more than enough to bury the Knights.

“I’m very happy,” said Hetland. “We lost nine seniors last year so we have a very young team. We started off this season where we left off last year. The girls are very coachable and have a lot of potential.”

That statement might also sum up Dottie Graff. The junior led the Vikings offensive attack with two goals. Trissica Bye and Heather Schwab rounded out the scoring.

“Dottie played very well. She has a great foot and shot the lights out,” remarked Hetland. “Trissica Bye is a returning letter winner and just a sophomore, and Heather Schwab is just a freshman. That was her first varsity goal. We played team ball. We work on team offensive skills because the individual skills should already be there. I’m very happy with the way things are going.”

The Vikings hit the field with three more games this week. After two road match-ups, North Branch returns home on Friday to take on Rogers.

---