Magicians topped by West Fargo in state soccer semifinal | News, Sports, Jobs

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Minot High’s Grayson Steele (26) heads the ball past West Fargo defender Janam Rai (11) during the North Dakota High School Activities Association Boys Soccer State Tournament semifinal match Friday, at Cushman Field. Photo by Michael Linnell.

GRAND FORKS — Minot High School soccer threw everything it had at West Fargo goalkeeper Bonfas Loria during its semifinal contest Friday afternoon at Cushman Field.

But the Magicians couldn’t solve the 6-foot-5 senior.

Loria turned away multiple shots and gobbled up passes and crosses to preserve a 1-0 win over the Magicians, sending Eastern Dakota Conference’s top seed into the championship game of the 2024 North Dakota High School Activities Association Boys Soccer State Tournament.

It looked like the game might be headed to overtime as both teams played solid defense and Minot High’s Grayden Wald matched Loria save for save until late in the second half.

The Packers (11-2-3) notched the game winner with just four minutes remaining in the contest.

After multiple minutes of heavy pressure by the Packers, Andrew Knudsvig slid a long cross that Amir Alizadeh tapped in for the game winner.

It marked the third year in a row where the Magi were stymied in the semifinal round of the North Dakota State Boys Soccer Tournament and the second time in three years MHS fell 1-0 to West Fargo.

Minot High (13-5-2) controlled much of the offensive play in the first half, but wasn’t able to get a clean attempt past either the Packers defense or Loria. Loria, in turn, used his large frame to cut off multiple would-be chances.

Wald finished with a match-high 10 saves on 11 shots. Loria finished with seven saves.

The Magi will finish the 2024 season at Cushman Field with a third-place matchup against Jamestown, the west top seed at 1:15 p.m. Minot High topped Jamestown High 3-2 in last year’s third-place match.

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