The Mandan High School girls soccer squad fought through a gusty afternoon to clinch a 5‑3 victory over Grand Forks Red River in the state semifinals, setting up a showdown with Fargo Shanley for the championship.
Early in the match, Arianna Lindsley opened the scoring for Mandan, but the windy conditions hampered both teams, leading to a halftime stalemate at 2‑1 in favor of Red River.
A Wind‑Swept Comeback
After the break, the Mandan offense surged, with Afton Leingang equalizing before Sarah Helderop struck the decisive goal with just over seven minutes remaining, sealing a four‑goal rally.
Goalie Gabby Frohlich’s miscues contributed to Red River’s three goals, while Myah Nicola’s two strikes kept the opposition within reach, but Mandan’s resilience proved decisive.
Looking Ahead to the Title Match
The upcoming final promises another test of endurance against the wind‑blown tactics of their opponents, as Mandan aims to defend its title.