BUFFALO — The Lumberjacks were just over five minutes away from heading to overtime.

The third-seeded Bemidji High School girls soccer team was in a goalless tie with No. 2 Buffalo in the Section 8-3A Tournament semifinal on Saturday in Buffalo. Then, Sophie Alderman kicked the championship-ticket-punching strike.

In the 74th minute, Alderman scored an unassisted goal to put the Bison ahead 1-0. It dashed Bemidji’s hope of playing for a section title on Tuesday against St. Michael-Albertville.

Stella Schoonover had one of the best BHS chances late in the first half but couldn’t convert.

Jacks goalkeeper, Clara Bieber, unofficially had nine saves, while Buffalo goalie Emma Marzean had seven.

No. 2 Buffalo 1, No. 3 Bemidji 0

BEM 0 0 — 0

BUF 0 1 — 1

Bemidji — No scoring.

Buffalo — Al

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