Robbinsdale Armstrong coach Caitlin Bishop is hoping the old adage is true.
“The third times a charm,” she said, referring to the Falcons’ streak of state tournament appearances.
Robbinsdale Armstrong secured its third consecutive state bid after defeating Irondale 10-4 in the Section 5 championship Wednesday at Osseo High School.
The victory was a warm way to cap a game with a rainy start. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds as the section medals were handed out, adding familiarity to the moment for Falcons senior goalie Isabel Snow.
“It feels like home,” Snow said about returning to the state tournament.
She’s played in the last two, but this one is going to be extra special. It’s the last one Snow will compete in with teammate and twin sister Gracie, a midfielder for Robbinsdale Armstrong.
Both sisters agreed there's a twin connection when it comes to playing sports, and it was on display near the end of the first half as Isabel launched the ball down the field to Gracie, who scored to give the Falcons a 6-2 lead.
“It’s always nice to see the sisters score like that,” Bishop said. “Goalies don’t usually get assists.”
In addition to the assist, Isabel made 13 saves with half coming while playing in a downpour.
“I get a little nervous with my clears and my stick gets wet, but this was my lucky field. There was no stopping me today,” Isabel said.
It was clear top-seeded Robbinsdale Armstrong (10-6) was not going to be stopped, responding to every goal tallied by third-seeded Irondale (8-8) with a score of its own.
“All the seniors played with a lot of heart. They came out and wanted to win,” Bishop said.
Including senior forward Hayley Holdahl, who finished the game with three goals.
Senior forward Amy Master said she was proud of how successful her team has fared after losing several seniors from last year, including the way the Falcons fought through a rough three-game losing streak late in the season.
“We were so tired of losing by one point,” Master said.
Holdahl agreed that the team had hit a funk.
“It was a total mind game,” said Holdahl, who added that captains’ practices and playing recreational lacrosse restored the team’s focus.
Now the goal is to improve upon the Falcons’ past performances at the state tournament, where they have ended up playing for the consolation championship. The team lost to Lakeville South 8-5 last year and defeated Burnsville 14-12 two years ago.
Master and her teammates hope the third time is the charm. Whether trip results in the Falcons’ first state title or another consolation championship, Master is happy to have the chance to play in the tournament.
“Knowing we’re ending our last season at state is just the best feeling,” Holdahl said.
