New Prague High School’s girls’ soccer and tennis teams are looking for more success than they enjoyed a year ago. Achieving the teams’ goals will rely on returnees learning lessons from their experiences.
Girls’ soccer A year after the Trojans made the jump to 10-5-3 record from a sub-.500 record, New Prague is again looking to improve.
The Trojans have a solid core of returning players – 10 seniors, 11 juniors and two sophomores. Coach Ali Hentges expects her team’s defense will be the strength of the Trojans. The Trojans will look to defenders Mia Barton, Daniela Garita, Naomi Sticha, Tori Nerdrum and goalie Ashlee N e l s o n as the backbone of a strong defense.
Offensively, Courtney Nelson, Hannah Stewart, Olivia Quast and Lindsey Savoie, Sierra Vanyo and JoJo Salazar will fuel a strong and improving offensive attack.
The team will again focus on what it can control - playing hard and playing with good sportsmanship.
The team’s goal is to challenge the powers in the conference and section and eventually earn a state tournament berth. Hentges said the boys’ team winning a section championship proves New Prague soccer can compete at a high level.
The Trojans open the season this evening, Aug. 21, 5 p.m., at home against Mankato West. Saturday, Aug. 23, New Prague travels to Northfield and Monday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., NPHS will host Eastview.
Girls’ tennis The Trojans have several returning players to replace the eight seniors who graduated last spring. Coach Jamie Schoenbauer said the returnees gained plenty of varsity experience a year ago and also worked on their games during the summer.
“We had a lot of players in for our open courts,” Schoenbauer said. “We’ve seen a lot of improvement in their skills. The returnees we have back are looking to build on their experience from last year.”
While the lineup is not yet set in cement, Ava Farrell, Lily Bible and Natie Kraft will see time in singles competition this fall. Belle Schneider and Tori Erickson will also be playing doubles.
With 45 players out for this fall’s team, the Trojans finished the year above .500 last fall and they hope to repeat the accomplishment in what Schoenbauer described as a very challenging Metro West Conference with teams like Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Chanhassen, Orono, Chaska, Bloomington Jefferson and others. The section competition isn’t expected to be any easier. New Prague will have to compete against the likes of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Prior Lake and Chanhassen.
Schoenbauer expects the strong competition wil...
To see more on this story pick up the August 21, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.