Adam Hildebrandt gathered a long crossing pass to the right of the goal, and found himself with a lot of net to look at.

The Polars’ senior midfielder didn’t pause to think about what was at stake, firing the ball past Lycans goalkeeper Moise CJ Damey for what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the Class 2A state quarterfinal at Chisago Lakes on Thursday.

“I got a good talking from (teammate) Adolfo (Barrera-Gonzalez). He told me to take a nice touch, and I just went up and hit it. It was a good pass from everyone all the way around out there,” Hildebrandt said.

“I just had my head down and shot the ball. I was waiting till it got to the back of the net, and then I was like, ‘That just happened?’ And I turned around and hugged my teammates for the passes.”

There were 37 tense minutes remaining, but North St. Paul hung on to win the rugged match. The Polars (18-1-1) will face Andover (15-4-1) in a 4 p.m. Monday semifinal in the Metrodome.

MARK EMMERT