Minot brings back strong team, but a handful of others in the mix for a state tournament berth

BISMARCK, N.D. — As Western Dakota Association boys’ soccer enters its 32nd season of competition, the race for the top spot in the conference is as wide open as it gets. With no clear-cut favorite emerging in the preseason coaches' rankings—where three different programs claimed at least one first-place vote—the battle for regional supremacy will come down to proven depth and returning game-changers. Defending champion Bismarck Legacy faces roster retooling, leaving a cluster of talented, hungry programs poised to make a run at the crown. Bismarck High 2025 Snapshot: 5-8-3 overall. Key Returners: Camren Haase, Sr.; Daniel Matthews, Sr; Drew Haberlock, Sr. The Storyline: Don't let last year’s record fool you; six of Bismarck High's losses came by a single goal, and three of their victories came against state tournament qualifiers. Behind a veteran senior core led by captains Haase, Matthews and Haberlock, the Demons boast proven high-level experience in every third of the pitch. Haase is an all-conference and all-state standout who is a gifted offensive player and a knack for scoring big goals. Matthews is also an all-WDA selection with plenty of playmaking skills. Haberlock (All-WDA) was a strong goalkeeper and his anticipation and positioning make him one of the best goalies in the conference. The Demons are hopeful the experience back will guide them to a trip to the state tournament for the first time since 2023. Bismarck Legacy Sabers 2025 Snapshot: 16-1-0 regular season (perfect in WDA play). Key Returners: James Erickson, Sr.; Conor Kraft, Jr.; Sr., Caleb Scheer, Sr.; Eduard Abramciuc, Jr. The Storyline: Legacy has set a gold standard in recent years, winning three conference titles, placing runner-up in 2023, and capturing the 2024 State Championship. Defensive strength remains the cornerstone of the program, anchored by veteran defender Carson Riehl and senior All-State keeper James Erickson between the posts. With junior midfielder Conor Kraft and senior midfielder Caleb Scherr running the engine in the middle, the Sabers possess the structural backbone to contend once again. Eduard Abramcius will be one of the go-to options in the frontline. Legacy's success will hinge a lot on how quickly those younger players adapt to the physical pace of varsity play. Bismarck Century 2025 Snapshot: 10 wins; 5th place at State Tournament. Key Returners: Cale McEvers (Sr.); Teagan Schlichenmayer, Sr.; Deakyn Koch, So. The Storyline: The Patriots closed 2025 on a major surge, winning six of their final seven matches to secure their first state appearance since 2022. Century boasts a versatile, multi-faceted attack that can break teams down patiently, strike directly, or generate chances from wide areas. McEvers blends physical presence with skill and Schlichenmayer possess elite speed and a high soccer IQ. Defensively, the Patriots play an intense, athletic, and physical brand of soccer—supported by the steady defensive composure of Deakyn Koch—that suffocated opponents down the stretch last fall. Finding a definitive starting goalkeeper. After rotating options last year, establishing a clear No. 1 between the posts will be the final piece in cementing Century as a premier title contender. Dickinson 2025 Snapshot: 1 win, 1 tie. Key Returners: Heath Zimmerman (Jr., MF), Dusty Hughes (Sr., D), Estin Martin (Sr., D). The Storyline: Dickinson turns to a veteran core with multiple years of varsity experience to guide a young, evolving squad this fall. Up front, the Midgets feature an adaptable, versatile attacking group where players can seamlessly fill multiple positions. On the back line, returning stalwarts Dusty Hughes and Estin Martin provide the defensive anchor needed to build on last year's late-season progress. Meanwhile, junior midfielder Heath Zimmerman will be vital in controlling the tempo and connecting the defense to the attack. After gaining valuable JV experience as eighth-graders, these underclassmen will be called on to push for varsity minutes and provide immediate impact. Jamestown 2025 Snapshot: State Tournament Qualifier (3rd consecutive trip). Key Returners: Evan Harty, Sr.; Grady Eckart, Sr. The Storyline: Jamestown has built a steady foundation into a perennial state tournament contender. Offensively, the Blue Jays rely on structured ball movement—switching fields smoothly to unlock defensive units and using close support play to control possession in the attacking third. Defensively, Evan Harty’s high compete level and vocal communication behind the back line ensures Jamestown stays organized on set pieces and disciplined when delaying opposing counterattacks. Grady Eckart is also a multi-year starter who has exception vision, on his first touch and relentless taking to solidfy of the central midfield. The pair of captains will provide sound leadership to the ‘Jays game. Maximizing efficiency inside the penalty boxes. Finishing opportunities on attacking set pieces while locking down and defending in and around the goal will be the key areas of growth to push Jamestown further up the conference standings. Mandan-St. Mary’s 2025 Snapshot: 6 draws in WDA play. Key Returners: Kylan Hoag, So.; Conner Lundeen, Sr.; Caden Wondra, Sr. The Storyline: Mandan-St. Mary’s proved to be one of the most stubborn opponents in the WDA last season, taking points off several top contenders and playing in tight, competitive battles every week. With a strong core featuring Hoag, Lundeen, and Wondra leading the charge, the Braves enter 2026 with the experience and chemistry needed to tilt those close outcomes in their favor. Turning competitive draws into three points in the standings. Finding timely finishes in close matches will be the primary lever to vault Mandan-St. Mary’s right into the thick of the state tournament race. Minot High 2025 Snapshot: 10-win season; WDA Runner-Up. Key Returners: Dylan Oswalt, Sr.; Nolan, Schmidt, Sr. The Storyline: The Magicians proved once again why they are a perennial powerhouse in the WDA, extending their remarkable streak to 16 consecutive state tournament berths. Up front, Minot High features a quick-thinking attack loaded with speed and creativity. On the defensive end, the squad returns three of four starting defenders—anchored by Schmidt—providing proven stability and chemistry as a new starting goalkeeper steps into the net. Dylan Oswalt is a central playmaker, coming off a strong season. He had good field visioin and dictates templ and sets up attacks through the middle. Building off their solid defensive foundation, maximizing high-percentage chances and finishing consistently will be the focus as Minot High aims to capture its first region title since 2022. The squad earned the top spot in the preseason coaches’ poll. Minot North Sentinels 2025 Snapshot: 7 wins; entering 3rd season of varsity play. Key Returners: Jayden Marshall, Sr; Logan Orvitt, Sr.; McClain Roberts, So. The Storyline: Minot North has accelerated its timeline faster than most new programs to the varsity level. I turned a respectable seven-win campaign last fall. Up front, the senior tandem of Jayden Marshall and Logan Ovitt gives the Sentinels firepower and varsity leadership. Marshall netted a career-best 14 goals in 2025. His combination fo size and raw speed make him standout on the pitch. Orvitt missed several matches last season due to a broken collarbone, but possesses natural scoring ability. Defensively, McClain Roberts brings proven postseason honors and stability to anchor the defense as the program continues its ascent. Converting individual talent into team results in close matches. With an explosive front line and an elite back-line anchor, the Sentinels have all the ingredients to crash the top half of the standings and punch the program's first-ever state tournament ticket. Williston 2025 Snapshot: 5-3-3 finish over the final five weeks (cracked state tournament race after slow start). Key Returners: Tristan Boots, Sr.; Miles Heck, Sr.; Ryan Serrano, Jr. The Storyline: After graduating just three seniors from last fall's squad, Williston returns a battle-tested core featuring eight starting regulars. The Coyotes boast an attack filled with highly creative ball-handlers capable of breaking down defenses, while their defensive identity is defined by total team unity and an unyielding commitment to pressuring opponents across every inch of the pitch. Goalkeeper Tristan Boots is a veteran and prove he can handle the workload. Heck provides a key piece of the defensive group. Ryan Serrano and Mamadou Sow will be called on to help pusht he pace and get scoring opportunities for the front attack. The Coyotes are poised to build on last year's dominant second-half run and make a serious push for a top-four seed and a state tournament berth. Minot High and Bismarck High players battle for a ball at the Bismarck's MDU Resources Community Bowl (photo courtesy of Loralyn Joyce)