Mound Westonka reached the state tournament for just the third time in school history last season, finishing fourth in Class 1A. Not a bad pedigree, but one that pales in comparison to that of four-time state champion South St. Paul, which owns records for appearances (14) and games won (26).
Both teams figure to be in the discussion for small-school supremacy again this season, as Mound Westonka features standout forwards Grace Peterson, a junior, and Kailey Niccum, a sophomore, while South St. Paul has one of the state’s best goaltenders in Delaney Norman.
Norman, who went 15-4-3 last season as an eighth grader, is 2-1-0 this season with a .925 save percentage and 2.33 goals against average for the Packers (2-1-0, 0-0-0).
Peterson and Niccum have combined for six goals and 11 points through three games for the White Hawks (3-1-0, 0-0-0).