Submitted Photo Minot High School’s Dylan Jackson (30) and Justice Amsbury (11) celebrate Jackson’s goal late in the second half against Grand Forks Red River during the North Dakota High School Activities Association Boys Soccer State Tournament quarterfinal match Thursday, October 10, at Cushman Field in Grand Forks. Photo by Michael Linnell.

GRAND FORKS – The Minot High School boy’s soccer has been a second-half team, outscoring opponents 26-7 in the second half during the regular season.

That trend continued into the playoffs.

Seniors Justice Amsbury and Dylan Jackson each netted second-half goals to lift the Magi (13-4-2) to a 2-0 win over Grand Forks Red River in the first round of the North Dakota High School Activities Association Boys Soccer State Tournament Thursday at Cushman Field.

Amsbury’s fourth goal of the season came in the first minute of the second half, opening up a hard-fought, physical contest. According to Minot High head coach Jordan Foley, the goal came from a slight change in positioning and plenty of grit from the Magicians.

“We found the way their backline was playing, if we moved some guys into a higher position, we would be able to find an avenue,” said Foley. “We were able to drag their players out of position a little and had some success going in. There was a big switch there where we were able to get the goal quickly and then kind of receded back a little bit for the next 15 minutes or so.”

Both goal scorers garnered assists on each other’s goal. Foley felt Ambury’s goal was big both in the timing in the quarterfinal game and in confidence for the Magi forwards.

“I think in matches like this one, yeah, DJ is our leading point scorer, but we’ve also spread the ball out with goals and assists from a lot of guys and the stats don’t always do justice to the other things guys are doing to get us in that position,” said Foley. “It’s huge for the other guys on the pitch to be able to have that momentum and that confidence, knowing they can make those runs and make those shots.”

After Amsbury’s goal, Red River (8-4-5) went on the offensive with solid pressure, multiple runs and corners, but could not get the equalizer. Minot High’s solid back line and perfectly positioned saves from senior goalkeeper Grayden Wald powered the Magi to the clean sheet.

Wald finished with 12 total saves — six in each half — and didn’t necessarily have to make any highlight reel saves due to excellent positioning.

“I think it is his best performance that he has put in as a Magician,” said Foley.

While Red River pushed for a tie, MHS countered with long outlets. With just over 5 minutes to play, Ambury found a streaking Jackson whose team-leading 16th goal of the season put the game out of reach.

“All season we’ve preached that mental toughness, that champion mindset,” said Foley. “If you want to go out and be the best you have to beat the best and compete in every instance. You have to be locked into every match. It was great to see them hunker in and embrace that mindset for a full 80.”

Red River’s Rylan Holt finished with six saves for the Roughriders in the loss.

The Magicians will take that mindset into the semifinals against the East Dakota Conference’s top team from the regular season in West Fargo. The Packers (11-2-3) dispatched Williston 3-0 in the quarterfinals. The Magi will battle West Fargo at 4:30 p.m. at Cushman Field.