The past week has been a busy one for Minot North athletics, with competition across multiple sports showcasing determination, promising performances, and plenty of reasons for the community to turn out and cheer. From a hard-fought soccer win while down a player to a dominant football opener and solid individual displays on the golf course, the Sentinels have given fans a lot to talk about.
Soccer was a roller coaster of emotion and effort. The highlight came in a 2-1 victory over Jamestown in a match that saw both teams battle from start to finish. Minot North’s night took a dramatic turn when the goalkeeper received a red card, forcing the squad to play a large stretch of the game with only 10 players. Rather than folding, the team tightened defensively, adjusted formations, and pushed forward when the opportunities presented themselves to close out the win. That grit on a numerically disadvantaged field was a defining image of the week.
The schedule has been a test of consistency and resilience. In other recent matches the team suffered a 1-2 loss in one outing and fought to a 2-2 tie with Bismarck in a contest that produced offense at key moments. A rivalry matchup with Minot High ended in a 0-2 defeat, while the Sentinels responded with a convincing 3-0 victory over Williston. Narrow losses came later in the week, with a 2-3 result against Grand Forks and a wild 5-6 game with Red River. Taken together, those results show a squad capable of high-scoring play and also able to grind through defensively demanding situations. The young core is clearly learning how to regroup from setbacks and build momentum.
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Additionally, Minot North’s football program delivered a statement in its season opener. The Sentinels rolled to a 41-0 victory over Williston. The game was dominated by a stingy defense that limited Williston’s offense and by an efficient, opportunistic offensive unit that converted chances into points. A shutout of that margin in the first outing sets a positive tone as the team looks to develop consistency through the season and build from an impressive start.
Tennis has been a learning experience so far. The Sentinels dropped a 2-7 match to Bismarck and followed with a 1-8 defeat against the Sabers. While the scores are not what the team hoped for, match play under competitive conditions is exactly what helps players sharpen technique, strategy, and match-court composure. With practice and matches ahead, the squad will focus on turning close sets into wins.
The varsity girls golf team traveled to Williston and posted some encouraging individual scores. Emersyn Kopp led the way with a 77, Kinzy Welstad carded a 78, Kate Bast shot an 87, Ally Larson posted an 89, and Abby Speer finished with a 102. Those scores indicate depth at the top and room for development across the roster. The program is also ramping up community outreach: the team is hosting a “Golf with the Sentinels” day for grades K–5 on September 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event costs $25 to join and information and sign-up URLs are available on the Sentinels’ Facebook and Instagram pages. The morning will include short-game practice, a scramble with the school golfers, shirts for participants, and prize opportunities. This is a strong chance to get youngsters excited about golf and connect them with the high school athletes.
In the pool, the girls swim team faced a tough meet at Bismarck, falling 44-137. Dual meets against stronger programs can produce lopsided scores, but they also offer valuable experience for individual swimmers and relay units as they work to lower times and improve race strategies.
Cross country got its season rolling as well, with the boys’ team opening last week on the 22nd. Early-season meets provide baseline times and a sense of where the program stands heading into conference competition. XC athletes typically use those first races to build toward peak fitness later in the fall.
Across all programs, the recurring theme has been growth through competition. Wins like the soccer victory over Jamestown and the football shutout show what the school is capable of when preparation and focus come together. Losses and tough meets, in tennis, swimming, and some soccer matchups, are already serving as learning labs where players and coaches can target specific improvements.
Community support will matter as much as anything. Between home games, meets, and the upcoming Golf with the Sentinels event on September 6, there are plenty of ways for families and neighbors to cheer the teams on and help create a positive environment for Minot North athletes. With hard work, smart adjustments, and the kind of team-first mentality that surfaced this week, the Sentinels are positioned to keep growing in every sport.
