GIRLS SOCCER: Century defeats Davies 2-1

FARGO -- Bismarck Century had a tough task on Friday. The task called for containing Fargo Davies' proficient offense.

The Patriots were up to the task and in the process handed the Eagles their first loss of the season.

Century scored two goals in the second half to defeat Davies 2-1 during the semifinals of the North Dakota state girls soccer tournament at Sid Cichy Stadium.

"Century did a good job of defending us, and they were able to finish their scoring chances in the second half," Davies head coach Nick Christianson said. "We just couldn't get the ball past their second line in the second half."

Century advances to play in the championship game at 3 p.m. today.

Davies (10-1-1) scored first when senior Emily Wendorff rocketed a shot past Century goalkeeper Amanda Leintz at 19 minutes, 49 seconds.

The Eagles entered halftime up 1-0, which Century head coach Nate Ulness said was a positive.

"Being down 1-0, we had nothing to lose in the second half," Ulness said. "We wanted to press and outwork them. I think our players stepped up on that front."

Century freshman forward Kylee Welch tied the game with a goal at 53:35 and six minutes later the Patriots broke through for the lead.

Sophomore forward Alexa Pagan scored the go-ahead goal for the Patriots (8-3-1). It marked the first time Davies had trailed during a match since May 11.

Century never yielded the equalizer.

"Our main goal was to pressure them quickly, close them down and not give them the time and space to hit the ball," Ulness said. "The big battle was for our center midfielders to close them down, and they did that. That helped us win the match."

The Eagles play in the third-place match at 1 p.m. today.

Leintz collected four saves for Century. The Patriots have won six state titles, the most recent coming in 2011, and have played in seven state championship games.

Davies entered the match having outscored its opponents 62-3.

Fargo Shanley 1, Bismarck St. Mary's 0: Fargo Shanley is headed to the North Dakota state girls soccer championship match for the third year in a row.

The Deacons stamped their tickets back to the final after defeating Bismarck St. Mary's in Friday's other semifinal.

The lone goal came 7 minutes, 51 seconds into the game when Shanley senior Sydney Dauenhauer knocked a shot in following a corner kick from teammate Kara Syvrud.

"We needed the fire right away, and that goal brought our enthusiasm up," Dauenhauer said.

Shanley (9-2-1) plays Century in the title game set for 3 p.m. today. It is a rematch of the 2011 state final the Patriots won in a shootout. The Deacons won their first state championship last spring.

"She is such a good finisher," Shanley head coach Kevin Roos said of Dauenhauer. "We had to get her in the right spot. Kara played a great ball in the middle for Sydney off the corner. Sydney has had some great goals and she puts a lot on them."

The Deacons seized control of the match early on and never relented in the first half.

"The match started slow," St. Mary's head coach Tim Mueller said. "They got the ball in our end and we just couldn't clear. We gave up the early goal, and when you are playing form behind, you do things a little different. You hurry things, and things got a little frantic for us."

The Saints (9-2-1) advance to play Fargo Davies in the third-place match at 1 p.m. today.

Jenna Zaeske posted five saves for the Deacons and was able to hold off a late rally attempt by St. Mary's inside the final 17 minutes.

Shanley's defense held and as a result the Deacons will have a chance at back-to-back state championships.

"It's amazing," Roos said. "I know there were doubts this year, but I think we put those doubts aside."

"We won it last year, and we are hoping to win it again this year," Dauenhauer added. "St. Mary's put up a good fight and it came right down to the end."