St. Thomas Academy vs. St. Paul Academy
4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29

Defending Class 1A state champion St. Thomas Academy travels to St. Paul Academy on Tuesday in a game that serves as what-could-have-been in last year's Class 1A, Section 3 tournament.

St. Paul Academy went into the tournament with the top seed, but were upset by Holy Angels in the semifinals, ending its season earlier than anticipated. St. Thomas Academy was the No. 2 seed and defeated Holy Angels 1-0 in the section title game on its way to a state championship. 

The Spartans (1-0-1) began their season tying St. Paul Humboldt 0-0 on Thursday, and earning a 2-1 victory over Hill-Murray on Saturday, with goals from juniors Michael Forsgren and Eric Lagos.

But the Cadets (0-1) will be a tough early season test despite falling 1-0 to St. Paul Highland Park in their opener last Saturday. Their top-scorer from last year, Amanuel Bird, returns for his senior campaign after notching 13 goals and seven assists as a junior.