No.1 Benilde-St. Margaret’s endured Hill-Murray’s attack through regulation and two overtime periods in a 0-0 draw at Hill-Murray high school on Tuesday night.

In a match that could have been a sure win for Hill-Murray, BSM goalkeeper Anna Pohlen stepped up when she was needed to keep the Pioneers in the match.

Pohlen made 7 saves on the night. She also ran out of her goal in key moments to clean up through balls played in by Hill-Murray’s midfield.

“I was just trying to keep it together for the rest of the team,” Pohlen said. “Our defense was playing amazing and they were really supporting everyone else. I was just trying to do my part in that and just keep them motivated.”

BSM head coach Scott Christy was impressed with his goalie’s performance. He said she was crucial in the draw.

“She really kept us in the game,” Christy said. “She came up big a number of times and made some very big saves.”

The Red Knights won the last matchup between the two 3-2 in the semi-final of the 2016 state tournament.

Hill Murray head coach Simbo N’diaye said the outcome of tonight’s game should have gone in his team’s favor.

“We put the pressure on them almost the whole game. There was only a few times they got into our half, but I think overall, we dominated the game. It wasn’t just our day.”

The Pioneers had much more possession throughout the match. They played fast and with purpose to get forward and create offense. Hill-Murray’s defense often won the ball back quickly by pressuring BSM and forcing mistakes.

The Red Knights defense and goalie played their part in keeping the game scoreless, however, N’diaye said the only piece missing from winning the match was finishing in front of net.

“Most of the issue came probably from us because we were not too composed inside the box,” N’diaye said. “There was a lot of times that we should have buried those.”

Christy said he knew this game would be tough. Even a draw would be a challenge against a strong Hill-Murray team.

BSM forward Vivian Shinall, who scored twice off two shots in the state match last year, found herself on a breakaway after Hill-Murray made one of their few defensive errors.

The senior was unable to repeat her efforts from the semifinal match last year as her side waited for counter attacks for chances at goal.

Pohlen said her team are happy with the result because of all the new additions to the squad this season, but she wants to prove that the state champions have not fallen off.

 “I would like to just do as well or better in every game against every opponent that we played last year and just really show that we are still the team that we were last year, and that we can make it again.”

The matchup between Benilde-St. Margaret's and Hill-Murray ended 0-0 after overtime on Tuesday night at Hill-Murray High School.

Red Knights goalie Anna Pohlen was the difference in the match. The junior made seven saves in a rematch of the second round of the last year's state tournament, a game won by eventual champion Benilde-St. Margaret's.

The first half saw Hill-Murray (1-0-2), ranked No. 2 in the Class 1A coaches' poll, dominate possession. The No. 1-1A Red Knights (1-0-1) found a few opportunities for a counter attack, but none threatening Pioneers goalie Payton Cahill. The freshman finished with three saves.

Hill-Murray continued to dictate the match at the start of the second half. The game freed up after about 15 minutes, allowing both sides chances to break the tie.

Key saves from both goalies late in regulation and overtime kept the two top-ranked teams tied in a competitive battle.

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