Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Minot High junior midfielder Cam Bolinske scans the field during Saturday's game against Jamestown at Duane Carlson Stadium. The Blue Jays defeated the Magi 2-1.

For the second straight game, the Minot High school boys soccer team struck first. Sophomore midfielder Ezra Hagerott found an open lane and buried a goal against Jamestown in the fifth minute of Saturday’s contest at Duane Carlson Stadium.

However, the Magi dropped their second consecutive home contest, as the Blue Jays answered with a goal in each half. Jamestown took a 2-1 road victory.

“It was really exciting, getting up in the first minutes,” Hagerott said. “We can’t let up. We’ve got to keep on going until the game is over. We can’t go light on them.”

With the loss, the Magi dropped to 3-7-2 (3-5-2 WDA). The Blue Jays improved to 9-3-1 (6-3-1 WDA). A steady stream of rain came down on the new turf throughout the afternoon, and blustery winds also played a factor.

“We’re not used to (the rain), but we like to joke around that this is what soccer was born in,” Minot head coach Creighton Bachmeier said. “This is where the game is supposed to be played and how it’s supposed to be played. Even though we’re not accustomed to it every single day, we just had to be a little bit smarter. We couldn’t judge what we wanted to do it. It’s a little bit of a challenge, but these guys can play in these types of conditions.”

Jamestown junior midfielder Kael Jenison countered Minot’s opening strike with an unassisted equalizer in the eighth minute. Then, for about 55 minutes, neither team could gain any ground.

Both the Magi and the Blue Jays earned chances, as Minot held a 13-11 shot advantage. Jamestown recorded nine shots on goal against Minot’s eight.

Senior forward Jaden Christ broke the tie with an unassisted goal in the 65th minute.

“I thought the heart and effort in the second half was really, really good,” Bachmeier said. “We are a very young team that needs to find ways to put 80 minutes together. I think we have times where our energy level or our thought process dips. You need to compete consistently at the varsity level.”

Both goalkeepers were tested throughout the matinee. Minot senior goalkeeper Braden Cochran notched nine saves, while Jamestown sophomore goalie Jay Kupitz recorded eight saves.

The Magi have only two more regular-season games remaining. Both contests will be played in the friendly confines of Duane Carlson Stadium, but time is running thin.

“In life, anytime you want to get better at something, you have to take your bumps and bruises,” Bachmeier said. “We’re definitely taking our licks. We are going to take them right on the chin. We have two choices. We can either blame, complain and deflect all day long, or we can choose to get better. I know this group is going to choose to get better.”

Minot will host Mandan in its next game at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.