MANDAN — A goal in the final seven minutes of play allowed Fargo Shanley to escape overtime and top Minot 1-0 on Thursday in the opening round at the North Dakota boy soccer state tournament at Starion Sports Complex.

Shanley's victory locked in an all-East Region semifinal round.

"Late goal, defense did a fantastic job for the clean sheet," Deacons head coach Jake Fritz said. "Our goalie and defense kept us in it and then we had our one opportunity and our forward Drew Schneider put it in the back of the net."

Shanley played a strong first half, preventing Minot from recording either a shot on frame or a corner kick. But with Shanley held to just two shots on frame, the first half finished scoreless.

"That's state, you gotta keep going, keep going," Fritz said. "Sometimes they don't fall, but all you need is one, and that's what we got tonight."

Tanner Ecker / Bismarck Tribune

Each team had their opportunities in the second half on set pieces, with each coming close on a corner kick and free kick apiece.

Before its goal, Shanley had the attempt of the game — and Minot keeper Ian Stewart the save of the game — off a free kick in the second half, with Stewart diving to keep the free kick out.

"We saw they were good at set pieces throughout the year," Fritz said. "Our guys, we only had two guys that had played at state before tonight, so that first half was us getting in a groove and figuring out what state is like. The second half was a lot of back and forth, fun to watch, and I'm glad we came out on top."

Shanley kept the pressure on Minot after a pair of shot blocks by the Magi defense following a Deacons free kick, and eventually a cross from Hayden Braun found the head of Drew Schneider in the 74th minute, and Schneider headed the ball into the net.

Minot found two more attempts on frame after Shanley's goal, but could not find a way past Shanley keeper Simon Schwind, who made five saves in the second half.

"Simon, he was fantastic back there," Fritz said. "He wasn't even a keeper until last year and he's far outshot what I thought he would do. He's great back there, we can always rely on him."

Shanley plays East No. 1 seed Fargo South at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Starion.

Tanner Ecker / Bismarck Tribune