High school sports

Richfield Senior High School will sponsor its first boys' and girls' alumni basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the high school.

Prize give-aways, food and a DJ will be featured. The day's events run from 3 p.m to 8 p.m.

Registration is available on the program's new website, gospartansbasketball.com

The Richfield girls varsity tennis team kicked off their season this week with two matches and an invitational doubles tournament. Coach Matt Moseley and senior captains talk about their expectations for the upcoming season.

The Richfield boys varsity soccer team opened up its fall season in a close match hosted by the Washburn Millers Thursday. Washburn's Ben Simpson scored both goals against Richfield, ending the Spartan's first game in a 2-0 loss.

"It was nice to start the season with a pretty competitive game. We really didn't know what to expect from Richfield," said Washburn Coach Sean Kier. "They looked way improved from last year."

Spartan captain Alex Viera had the opportunity to score on a number of free kicks in Washburn's half but couldn't seal the deal, with two balls going just wide of the goal and another saved by Washburn goalkeeper Andrew MacDonald.

Simpson's first goal of the game came late in the second half, leading Washburn to a one goal lead at halftime. Joey Froehlich appeared to be a fan favorite on Washburn turf having several shots on goal throughout the game. Spartan goalkeeper Eduardo Hernandez shut Froehlich out with diving saves.

"He kept us in the game and kept it close, but it's tough. There were a few players who helped us keep it close," said Richfield Coach Brad Johnson. "Our biggest challenge tonight was to overcome the strength of the other team."

Spartan captain and defender Michael Jungers came off the field limping in the second half. He said he took a knock to the knee from an opponent and he didn't believe it was going to affect future games.

"Tonight's game was a work in progress," Jungers said. "This was the first time for a lot of these guys playing varsity."

The team is looking ahead to breaking in the new Richfield High School turf field Aug. 30 against North St. Paul.

Fall sports at the two Richfield high schools got started this weekend with a Holy Angels girls tennis match versus Mora on Friday.  Richfield girls tennis, Holy Angels football, and boys and girls soccer and cross country teams have matches and meets this week.

Here are the opening contests for the varsity squads:

Boys and Girls Cross Country
Holy Angles vs. Hill Murray at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis, Aug. 27, 9 a.m.
Richfield vs. Minneapolis Washburn at Washburn, Aug. 27, 9:30 a.m.
Football
Holy Angels vs. Benilde-St. Margarets at Benilde-St. Margaret's, Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m.
Richfield vs. North St. Paul, at Richfield, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
Boys Soccer
Holy Angels vs. Minnehaha Academy at Holy Angels, Aug. 25, 8 p.m.
Richfield vs. Minneapolis Washburn at Washburn, Aug. 25, 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Holy Angels vs. Benilde-St. Margaret's at Minnehaha Academy, Aug. 25, 5 p.m.
Richfield vs. Roosevelt-Great River at Richfield, Aug. 31, 4 p.m.
Girls Swimming and Diving
Holy Angels vs. Minnetonka at Minnetonka, Sept. 10, 9 a.m.
Richfield vs. Foley at Foley, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.
Girls Tennis
Holy Angels vs. Mora at Mora, Aug. 19
Richfield vs. Minneapolis Southwest at Richfield, Aug. 23, 4 p.m.
Volleyball
Holy Angels vs. Red Wing at Holy Angels, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.
RIchfield vs. Henry Sibley at Sibley, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.