The competitive gap in Minnesota’s girls high school league appears to be widening. As Armstrong and North Suburban prepare for this Saturday’s state championship, they’ll not only be amped for a chance to win a title, but also grateful for a competitive match. The finalists – and West division leader Hopkins – endured lopsided victories and forfeits en route to the state playoffs, and the disparity in competition has as much to do with the top teams’ efforts as it does the struggling teams’ lack thereof.

Armstrong, North Suburban, and Hopkins – which lost 32-7 to North Suburban in the state semifinals – account for the vast majority of players in the Tundra program. The state all-star team plays 7s and 15s year-round, and it’s no surprise that those who have bought into the program are thriving.

“I don't think it is the case that the best players all find Tundra; it is more that players who commit to Tundra become the best,” said Armstrong head coach Jimmy Hanson, who co-coaches Tundra with North Suburban coach Mikayla Miller. “It makes sense to me just based on the competitive opportunities players are [not] presented with here. When I was working with the Girls Stars and Stripes back in 2013, the majority of the girls I spoke with played somewhere around 15 games a year or more. Here in Minnesota, a kid who played spring rugby for just Armstrong would have played in five games this year – and three of those games were 100-plus wins.”

The top teams keep their players invested with Tundra trips out of state and all-star tournaments, and Armstrong used the first-ever spring 7s season (which was supposed to be a league where struggling teams could play meaningful games) to give its freshmen and newcomers lots of playing time. Armstrong won the 7s state title.

“The focus of this season has been doing whatever we can to provide as many quality events for our kids as possible,” said Hanson, who is also on the Minnesota Youth Rugby board. “As the forfeits began to stack up it became apparent that many teams had over-optimistically anticipated having solid numbers. We focused on trying to encourage teams to still play their scheduled matches with 10s, 7s, or mixed sides.”

On Saturday, all will be forgotten as Armstrong and North Suburban showcase the best of Minnesota youth rugby. When the pair met during the regular season, Armstrong battled to a 36-10 win, but the game carried the energy of a state final.

 “We are definitely looking forward to it,” Hanson confirmed. “I think it is going to be the most competitive game in Minnesota in a long time, and while I am confident that we can win, I know what North Suburban can do and I know they have been waiting years for an opportunity to prove it. This year, they've earned that opportunity and will come out ferociously.”

Hanson’s team isn’t exactly healthy, however, having sustained several season-ending injuries throughout the course of the spring. More recently, Tundra alumni Amber Brevig (flanker) tore her ACL, and standout wing Carley Brugnoli has endured another leg injury. The other starting wing, Ruthie Norman, has left for Uganda for the summer, so Armstrong will be relying on freshmen – Hallie Brandt, Ana Torres, Molly Jaeger – to bookend the back attack. Tundra captain Kristin Tanner will organize the attack from flyhalf.

The forwards will miss Brevig, but have gained back Lindenwood commit Sonetta Williams. The senior prop was just cleared for play, and won’t get the start, but she’ll make for a great impact sub.

North Suburban isn't 100% either and will miss the influence of Tundra alum Cecilia Hammond. The speedy fullback is a staple in the backfield, and her absence will be sorely missed. But Miller has a solid cast of leaders in props Samantha Duenow and Haley Picco, scrumhalf Tatum Johnson, and center pairing of Brooke Miller and Danielle Bauer to fuel a run at states.

“We can't give up the big plays,” Hanson said of the team’s objectives. “When we've played them previously, most of their points were scored on individual breakaway efforts or after a series of repeat penalties pushed us back deep into our own territory. We've spent most of the last week focusing on maintaining possession, keeping our form on defense, and playing quickly, clearly and cleanly at the breakdowns.

“They will be the strongest opponent we've ever played in a final,” Hanson added. “They have the best coaching staff of any team we play. Mikayla Miller has done a great job of building the program over the last few years, and with help from fellow Twin Cities Amazons Ashley Kastendick and Maria Bowker, have really created a great program.”

Whichever way the state final goes, energy will quickly be turned to next year and the revitalization of the league. While Armstrong fosters relationships with area middle schools, encouraging younger players to train alongside the senior team, the Minnesota board will brainstorm long-term solutions to the waning strength of the league.

“My hope is that once the season officially ends, we invest our time in supporting coaches in their recruiting efforts and getting next season’s schedule and plans on the books early enough that we can present a more organized image,” Hanson said. “I think that will go a long way toward improved recruiting. With information in hand it can be a lot easier to get people to realistically consider our sport.”