A Perfect Season Culminates in Triumph
The North Dakota girls soccer state championship match at the Bismarck Civic Center turned into a showcase of precision and poise as Fargo Shanley dismantled Mandan 3-0. The Deacons entered the final with an immaculate record, and they left the field having conceded nothing but pride to their opponents.
The opening half saw Carly Hulstein open the scoring with a well‑timed corner kick that curled past the Mandan defense. Her strike set the tone for a relentless attack that would dominate possession and create multiple chances before the break.
Early in the second half, Emma Rohrich capitalized on a chaotic scramble inside the box, slotting the rebound into the net to double Shanley’s lead. The goal was a testament to the team’s persistence, as the ball ricocheted off several defenders before finding Rohrich’s feet.
Freshman sensation Annie Yablonski capped the scoring with her first varsity goal, a composed finish that sent the Shanley bench into celebration. Her name joined the list of heroes as the youngest scorer in the championship’s recent memory.
Between the goals, goalkeeper Kailey Ottmar stood tall, making six saves to preserve the shutout. Her performance kept Mandan’s hopes alive for a brief period, especially when senior Sarah Helderop fashioned the best chance for the opposition, only to be denied by Ottmar’s outstretched glove.
Mandan head coach Aaron McElwee, after the final whistle, offered a measured acknowledgment of Shanley’s superiority, praising the Deacons while reflecting on his team’s narrow miss at a repeat title. The loss ended Mandan’s bid to defend their championship and underscored the fine margins at the elite level.
For Shanley, the victory marked more than just a trophy; it was the program’s first state crown since 2019 and the third in franchise history. The unbeaten run not only celebrates the current squad but also reverberates through the school’s soccer tradition, setting a benchmark for future generations.