St. Cloud – St. Cloud Apollo, already enjoying the most successful boys’ soccer season in school history, moved to within a game of its first state championship with a 1-0 victory over Mankato West on Wednesday at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud.

Leighton Lommel scored in the 48th minute, taking a through ball from midfielder Aidan Sim-Campos in stride and hitting a low shot that slipped inside the far post.

“I don’t think in that situation, you’re too worried about where you’re shooting,”Lommel said. “I was just making sure I shot it on goal and it kind of curved around the keeper.”

The undefeated Eagles (20-0-2) survived a scary moment eight minutes later when Grayden Ewing was called for a handball in the box. West’s leading scorer, Jacob Makela, took the ensuing penalty kick but Apollo goalkeeper Cooper Gray guessed correctly, diving to his right to stop the shot.

“I just tried to clear my mind and not think too much,” Gray said. “I guessed right.”

Lommel said he had an inkling that things might be leaning the Eagles’ way when the tournament was moved to St. Cloud.

“Playing for a state championship and doing it at home? Who could have believed that?” he said. “When it was moved here, I thought it might be a good sign, but I don’t think anyone expected a season like this.”

Leighton Lommel’s goal in the 48th minute, off a feed from all-state midfielder Aidan Sim-Campos, was the only goal of the game, lifted St. Cloud Apollo to a 1-0 victory over Mankato West on Wednesday in the Class 1A semifinals.

Apollo (20-0-2) advances to Thursday’s Class 1A championship game for the first time in team history.

Mankato West fell to 19-2-0.

Check back later for more on the game.