Monticello vs.

Chisago Lakes

6 p.m., Wednesday, May 26

The 80-mile swath of forests and farmland from Chisago Lakes to St. Cloud sits just beyond the northern edge of the sprawling Twin Cities’ suburbs. It’s an area that has never been mistaken for lacrosse country. Not yet, anyway. 

With new programs popping up seemingly every year — and more established teams making deeper and deeper playoff runs — it might just be a matter of time before what was once a lacrosse wasteland produces a state champion. 

Monticello and Chisago Lakes have been the best of the bunch this season, dominating the Greater West Metro Conference which includes Becker, Big Lake, Sartell/Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud. Chisago Lakes’ lone loss of the spring came on May 11, an 8-7 setback against Monticello (11-0, 6-0). 

While Monticello features a balanced offense (four players have 20 or more goals) led by senior Emma Cordell (27 goals), Chisago Lakes (10-1, 6-1) is powered by the scoring exploits of senior Abby Sprado, whose 63 goals is the fourth most in the state.