A Season of Promise
The Jamestown High School girls soccer team capped a remarkable run in 2026, securing a spot in the state tournament for the fourth straight year. The Blue Jays finished the season with a 9‑8‑1 overall record and a 9‑5‑1 mark in Western Dakota Association play, a testament to steady improvement year after year.
Head coach Colton Altringer praised the squad’s resilience, noting that the team’s belief in itself was evident even after narrow defeats. Jamestown fell 3‑1 to Fargo Shanley in the quarterfinals and 2‑1 to Minot in the consolation semifinals, but Altringer said the performances reflected growth beyond the win‑loss column.
The senior class, anchored by Haley Attleson and Belle Sjostrom, set a standard for the program. Attleson will continue her athletic career at the University of Jamestown, where she will compete in both soccer and basketball, while Sjostrom finished the season with 72 saves and seven shutouts, anchoring a defense that conceded just 27 goals.
Underclassmen seized the moment. Layla Becker led the offense with six goals and six assists, while Quinn Biloff added seven goals and two assists. Freshman midfielder Hadley Jackson also contributed to the midfield dynamism, and defenseman Millicent Maus emerged as a full‑time starter, showing marked development during the postseason.
Looking Ahead
Altringer believes the 2026 team has moved the program forward, raising expectations for the next cohort. With a balanced mix of experienced seniors and promising newcomers, the Blue Jays hope to translate their momentum into deeper runs in future tournaments.
The season’s narrative of perseverance and collective ambition underscores a bright future for Jamestown girls soccer, a story that will continue to unfold on the fields of North Dakota and beyond.