Fargo Shanley defeats Mandan, 3-0

BISMARCK - Mandan's bid for back-to-back state titles came up one match short. The Braves fell to EDC champion Fargo Shanley, 3-0, in the ND State Championship on May 30 in Bismarck. It was Mandan's only loss of the season and the Braves' finished 17-1-1. Shanley ended its season unbeaten at 13-0-4.

Carly Hulstein opened the scoring for Fargo Shanley in the 16th minute, assisted by Emma Rohrich. Shanley's defense, anchored by goalkeeper Kailey Ottmar, kept Mandan at bay with Ottmar making five saves.

Emma Rohrich added an unassisted goal in the 63rd minute to push the Deacon lead to 2-0 and Annie Yablonski added another marker in the 79th minute. Mandan goalkeeper Gabby Frohlich recorded six saves in the contest.

It was Shanley's first state title since 2019, ending Mandan's impressive 32-match unbeaten streak. Mandan standout Sarah Helderop was named senior athlete of the year and Braves' coach Aaron McElwee was coach of the year. The match started with some rain, heavy at times, before the conditions improved.