Minnesota High School Soccer Semifinal Game Ends On Controversial Penalty Kick With 30 Seconds Remaining

St. Michael-Albertville defeated Bemidji by a final score of 1-0 during the girls high school soccer sectional semifinal match in Minnesota on Thursday. The deciding goal was scored on a controversial penalty kick on the final play of regulation.

Even if it was the correct call by the head referee, the timing of the foul was most unfortunate.

The entire high school soccer match came down to the last 30 seconds. The first 79 minutes and 30 seconds did not matter.

Bemidji lost to St. Michael-Albertville.

Bemidji High School is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, about 220 miles north of Minneapolis. It enrolls approximately 1,500 students in Grades 9-12. St. Michael-Albertville High School (STMA) is located in St. Michael, Minnesota, about 35 miles northwest of Minneapolis. It enrolls approximately 2,200 students in Grades 9-12.

These two schools compete in Class 3A, Section 8 of the Minnesota High School League. Their girls high schools soccer teams finished second and third in the standings. The Lumberjacks earned the No. 3 seed. The Knights earned the No. 2 seed.

They met in the sectional semifinal game on a damp Thursday night in St. Michael. It was a defensive battle through the first 79 minutes and 31 seconds of the 80-minute match. Neither team could find the back of the net. The score was tied at 0-0.

STMA hit the post about halfway through the second half. The Knights had an even better chance just a few moments later. A handball in the box gave them a penalty kick. It missed.

Bemidji almost took the lead in the 68th minute. The Lumberjacks sent a cross into the box but the shot attempt went wide.

And then controversy struck about 10 minutes later. A questionable officiating decision had a direct impact on the outcome.

The Minnesota high school soccer referee ruled a PK in the final minute.

Bemidji defender Kylie Bellino was called for a foul in the box with 29 seconds remaining in regulation. The game was less than 30 seconds away from overtime. The foul in the box resulted in a penalty kick. STMA converted the PK for the win.

Lumberjacks head coach Logan Larsen expressed his frustration with the call during his postgame interview.

“They were ready to keep fighting. We could go 20 more minutes — 80 more minutes if we had to. That’s part of what makes it so hard. … For it to end like that is a little disgusting.”

He did not agree with the foul.

“The refs said contact was initiated in the box, regardless of where (the offensive player) fell. Looking at the replay — I have to really be guarded on my words here because part of my role is not speaking ill (of officials) — for it to end like that … an opponent runs into them and they get a PK, that’s a struggle for me. For something to determine a game in that fashion, you should be 150% sure. … That’s far from it.”

Here is a video of the bang-bang play, and subsequent foul, that led to the penalty kick: