Submitted Photo Minot High’s Caleb Carr chases down a ball in the box during the second half of the fifth-place match against Bismarck Century at the state soccer tournament at Starion Sports Complex in Mandan on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Magicians fell 1-0 to the Patriots to finish sixth. Photo by Michael Linnell.

For the first time since 2009, the Fargo South boys soccer team are state champions.

The top seed in the East Region defeated Grand Forks Red River, 2-0, on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Starion Sports Complex in Mandan to capture the program’s seventh state title and first since 2009. Fargo South’s seven state titles are the most in the sport. Bismarck High, Bismarck Century and West Fargo are all tied for second-most with five.

The Bruins led nearly wire-to-wire, needing just two minutes into the opening half to grab a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Moussa Sanoh scored off a pass from Prajal Rai in the 2nd minute and South took a 1-0 lead into the half.

A successful penalty kick conversion off the foot of Lemo Bustamange in the 74th minute sealed South’s championship.

The Bruins held a wide margin in shots, firing 11 shots on Grand Forks Red River goalkeeper Andrew Christianson, who finished with nine saves. The Roughriders managed just three shots on goal, all stopped by South’s David Robinson.

Sanoh and Rai were named to the all-tournament team, as were teammates Ethan Eiler and Nathaniel Kun. Christianson, Colt Panos and Owen Martin were named to the all-tournament team from Red River.

The Bruins proved worthy of their top seed throughout the tournament. They opened the tournament by knocking off Jamestown, 4-0. Caleb Nissen scored twice and Sanoh added another. The following day, South put up six goals in a 6-1 victory over Fargo Shanley in the semifinal round. Eiler netted a pair of goals and South also received goal contributions from Sanoh, Success Torow and Rai.

The clock hit midnight on Red River’s Cinderella run through the tournament as the No. 4 seed from the East. The Roughriders pulled an upset over defending state champion and the West’s No. 1 seed Bismarck Legacy, 2-0, in the quarterfinal round. Martin netted both goals for Red River and Christianson made eight saves in net.

The Red Rivers proceeded to take out the No. 2 seed from the East in West Fargo Sheyenne with a 1-0 victory in the semifinal. It was again Martin delivering the game-winning goal, converting a penalty kick two minutes into overtime to break a scoreless stalemate and send the Roughriders to their fourth state title match appearance. They were seeking their third title, winning in both 2002 and 2005.

Sheyenne takes 3rd, Magicians fall in fifth-place match

West Fargo Sheyenne didn’t score an official goal in regulation or extra time, but the Mustangs did find the back of the net 10 times in a marathon penalty shootout to claim third place over Fargo Shanley.

The Mustangs and Deacons played to a scoreless draw before Sheyenne won 10-9 in the penalty shootout, with each team going through their entire lineup in PKs. Gunnar Skarphol delivered the first goal and the final goal and Sheyenne goalkeeper Bjorn Kaster made the match-winning save on Benjamin Tinguely’s second attempt to win it for the Mustangs.

Sheyenne converted on 10 of 12 attempts, while Shanley made nine of 11 attempts, but Kaster made saves on two of the last three.

The Mustangs held a 7-1 edge in shots on goal in regulation and extra time. Simon Schwind made seven saves for the Deacons and Kaster finished with one.

Sheyenne’s third-place finish is tied for its best showing at the state tournament. The Mustangs also finished third in 2019 and 2021.

In the fifth-place match, Bismarck Century topped Minot High, 1-0, on a goal from Cale McEvers in the 69th minute.

The Magicians struggled to find their offense throughout the tournament, scoring just a pair of goals – both coming against Jamestown in the consolation round. They were shutout twice in three games after being shutout twice in 16 regular season games this season.

The Patriots held a slight 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Minot High goalkeeper Ian Stewart made five saves and finished with 14 for the tournament. Century’s Gavin Ritter made five saves.

Nolan Schmidt and Dylan Oswalt were named to the all-tournament team for the Magi. Oswalt had a goal against Jamestown.

Minot High finished the season 10-5-4.