FARGO - In the big matches, a team needs its seniors to have an impact. That was evident for Mandan-St. Mary's in its ND state semifinal against defending champion and EDC top seed Fargo South. Dominick Heck's goal off a scramble in the goal box provided the Braves' a 1-0 lead. Brave goalie Ben Allan did the rest. Mandan-SM stunned the Bruins, 1-0, on a windy, chilly Oct. 15 afternoon at Fargo North High School Field. It was just the second loss for South (14-2-2), and first to a North Dakota squad.

Heck's goal came at the 50th-minute mark. Plenty of time for South to draw even. However, Mandan-St. Mary's played within a good defensive structure, and didn't give Fargo South many scoring attacks. One of those opportunties did come with 24 minutes remaining on a Fargo South free kick attempt about 40 yards in front of the Braves' goal. The initial kick bounced off players in front of Allan, but he had to be sharp on a rebound that go through to him. It was his best save of the match. The shutout was his fifth of the season.

The quarterfinal win was the first-ever for the Mandan-St. Mary's (9-5-3) co-op, which formed in 2018.

Mandan-St. Mary's will face West Fargo on Oct. 16. South, meanwhile, ends its season in the consolation bracket. It will face either Century.