Last year in the Class 1A semifinal, Cadets forward William Mayleben broke his collarbone and his team lost 2-0.

On Monday, in the semifinal game at U.S. Bank Stadium, Mayleben scored the only goal of the game in a victory against Blake to advance to the championship match on Thursday against Northfield.

“This is the complete opposite of how I felt last year,” Mayleben said. “This year coming in and getting the game-winning goal is magical. It is something out of a storybook.”

Nine minutes into the second half, St. Thomas Academy (17-4) midfielder Amanuel Bird sent a pass to the front of the net. Mayleben outleaped the Bears’ defense to redirect Bird’s pass into the net.

The Cadets made the goal stand up, largely due to aggressive play from senior goalie Matthew Wahl.

With under 10 seconds left, Blake (16-4-2) was given a free kick from 25 yards. But the shot was far left and off goal. As time expired, Wahl let out a leaping fist pump.

Wahl and Mayleben quickly found each other in the post game celebration and shared a hug years in the making.

“I’ve been friends with [Maylebeen] for a long time and to see him score the biggest goal of our year so far was great,” Wahl said. “At the end there, when all our hard work paid off it was nice to be relieved and celebrate with my teammate and good friend.”

St. Thomas Academy advanced to the Class 1A title game on Thursday after defeating Blake 1-0 on a second-half goal by William Mayleben after a pass from Amanuel Bird.

The Cadets (17-4-1) had defeated the Bears (14-3-2) 2-1 earlier this season.

Check back later for more on the game played Monday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.