Minot HIgh’s Kaylee Jackson takes a shot on net in front of Jamestown’s Haley Attleson (9) during the second half of a WDA match on Saturday, May 16, at Duane Carlson Stadium. Mike Kraft/MDN

The Minot High girls soccer team has known for over a week that it would be making yet another return trip to the state tournament, but now the Majettes know exactly where they will be situated when the eight-team field is fully fleshed out.

Cayley GIbbons and Aleah Gibbons netted goals less than 15 seconds apart late in the second half, as the Majettes secured a 3-1 victory over Jamestown on Saturday, May 16, at Duane Carlson Stadium. With the win, the Majettes clinched the No. 2 out of the West Region for the state tournament.

After conceding just their third second-half goal of the season, Minot High buried what would be the game-winning goal in the 70th minute on Cayley Gibbons’ first goal of the year. The junior defender was the first and last Majette to possess the ball on the play, throwing the ball back into the field of play to the foot of Kaylee Jackson, who kicked it right back to Gibbons. Without hesitation, Cayley Gibbons lifted a shot from 30 yards out that slipped off the gloves of Jamestown goalkeeper Belle Sjostrom and snuck in far-post to give the Majettes a 2-1 lead.

“It’s super important to know that we can play well under pressure and know we can get the job done,” Cayley Gibbons said. “It was our momentum just knowing that we had to score to get the edge and keep working hard.”

The Majettes (10-2-1 overall, 10-2-1 WDA) wasted no time putting the match out of reach, scoring moments after the restart. Ainsley McKibben dribbled the ball along the far sideline before firing a shot on net that Sjostrom blocked aside, but the rebound came right out to Aleah Gibbons, who was able to steer a shot past the Jamestown goalkeeper for her ninth goal of the year.

“It was getting composed again,” Minot High coach Matt Pfau said. “Coming down to two weeks left in the season, that’s what you have to do is be composed and still find a way to win. They are going to be a state tournament team. I’m glad we didn’t hang our heads when we let them tie it. We kept pressure on them and that kept chances coming and we got a few to go in late.”

The Blue Jays (8-6-1, 8-5-1) entered the match winners of three straight and four of their last five, moving them into a tie for third place with Minot North in the WDA standings. Jamestown outscored its last three opponents 9-2.

“Jamestown’s been really good,” Matt Pfau said. “They are always a physical team. (Layla) Becker in the middle of the field is a nightmare to cover. I was pleased with the way we covered her today and kept her off the scoresheet.”

Becker is Jamestown’s leading scorer with 11 points on five goals and six assists, but didn’t register a point against the Majettes on Saturday. She recorded an assist in Jamestown’s 2-1 loss to Minot High earlier in the season.

The Majettes got on the scoreboard first, opening the scoring in the 22nd minute off a restart. Jamestown was whistled for a hand ball near midfield, allowing Minot High’s Camdyn Varty to send a long ball 40 yards into the box undefended. The Blue Jays attempted to clear the ball out of their end, but Avalyn Lopez picked off the pass and guided a pass behind Jamestown’s back line of defense. Jackson won the battle to the ball and avoided Sjostrom’s slide tackle for a wide-open net to put Minot High in front. The goal was Jackson’s team-leading 10th of the season.

Minot High took the lead into the locker room, but the Blue Jays squared the match six minutes out of the break. Quinn Biloff served a long ball deep into Minot High’s end and Amiah Perman fought off a Majette defender before chipping a shot over the head of goalkeeper Kynsli Gillmore and into the back of the net.

Saturday’s match was Minot High’s seventh decided by two goals or fewer. While they may make for more nerves, Pfau said they are beneficial in the long run, especially come tournament time.

“Playing close games definitely helps you versus games where you don’t necessarily have to be locked in for the whole match,” Pfau said. “It’s situational. Let’s play with an extra defender when we go up late like we did today and see if we can navigate that and add some tactical things we may have to do at the state tournament.”

The Majettes held a 13-7 edge in shots on goal and a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Gillmore finished with six saves. Sjostrom made 10 stops.

The victory and the three points that come with it firmly locks the Majettes into the No. 2 seed for the state tournament with three matches remaining in the regular season. Minot High has 31 points, six points clear of both Jamestown and Minot North, who each have two matches left and six potential points to be gained. The Majettes hold the tiebreaker over both teams behind them.

“It’s great knowing we have a little bit of pressure off of our backs, but we know that we still have to work hard,” Cayley Gibbons said.

Mandan has already won the WDA crown with 43 points.

The next two matches may not have any importance as it relates to the standings, but the Majettes are still trying to improve on a weekly basis and be at top form for the state tournament.

“We’re still trying to get better,” Pfau said. “We try to find one thing to lock on to what we can get better from today to Tuesday and then we’ll figure something out for Thursday to Saturday. It’s little things, but it’s something we have to get better at, so when you get to the state tournament, hopefully those things are all cleaned up.”

Minot High travels to Bismarck High on Tuesday, May 19, for an 8 p.m. match.