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Magi soccer hands Dickinson first varsity loss to open season

Alex Eisen/MDN Minot High's Chris Long (15) scores the Magicians' first goal of the season on a long-range shot Tuesday evening against Dickinson at Duane Carlson Stadium.

Overcoming the sweltering sun and the energy levels displayed by the Dickinson players competing in the program’s first-ever varsity game, the Minot High School boys soccer team opened the season with a 2-0 victory Tuesday evening at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.

One goal in each half was the recipe for success. Although, MHS head coach Creighton Bachmeier was looking for a little bit more from his team.

“I don’t know if it was nerves to begin with or being too complacent, but it was kind of average soccer on our part,” Bachmeier said. “We do need to be a lot better. We knew going into the first game of the year that there would be a ton of mistakes. It definitely showed. The best part is we get a whole season to keep working on it. But, hats off to (Dickinson), they came ready to play.”

With a little over 25 minutes left in the first half, Minot junior defender Chris Long lived up to his last name with a long-range volley from the edge of the 18-yard box to score the Magi’s first goal of the season.

The scoring chance was created when Magi sophomore forward Manasseh Boakye collided with Dickinson goalkeeper Jace Hughes in a race for the ball. Long collected the rebound and lofted the ball past a couple of Dickinson defenders and into a wide-open net.

“I saw the opportunity and decided to take it,” Long said.

Bachmeier added: “It started a couple of plays, or minutes, before that when he was subbed in. He worked his tail off on some defensive shifts and got into some tough tackles. So, when he got that second ball, there was no hesitation. He was confident and just struck the ball. It was an excellent goal. A much-needed goal.”

Minot sophomore goalkeeper JJ Dufner made a sprawling save with three minutes left in the first half to keep the Magi up 1-0 going into halftime.

“We kind of played down to their level,” senior defender Reegan Meyer said. “But, as the game went on, we started to play our game.”

Minot’s Cameron Bolinske unleashed a left-footed strike that found the right post less than two minutes into the second half.

Three minutes later, junior midfielder Ezra Hagerott found the other post. This time, however, the ball clipped the inside of the pipe and went in. Kameron Foley picked up the assist.

Minot was in control, leading 2-0.

“We held well together,” Meyer said about the backline. “We could have communicated a little more and possessed more in the back. But, other than that, we did well.”

The Magi controlled most of the possession throughout the contest but had their lapses when the Midgets got a handful of semi-good looks at Dufner. However, most of the opportunities missed the target.

Dufner made one save in the win. Minot outshot Dickinson 25-3 (13-1 on target).

“That’s a whole unit back there,” Bachmeier said. “Reegan Meyer organizes everybody and is so calm about it. His tactical IQ has gotten so much better and his leadership has grown leaps and bounds.”

The Magi now turn their attention to Bismarck Legacy. Both games last season were extremely tight. The Magi won 1-0 at home and drew 0-0 on the road. The two teams meet again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Minot.

“We expect them to come in here hungry as heck,” Bachmeier said. “It’s going to be a very tough fight because I think Legacy has some quality pieces, and they are going to be better than they have been the past few years.”

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.

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