The Benilde-St. Margaret Red Knights haven't lost a match since last year's Class 1A state championship. Their quest for redemption nearly ended Friday night in Cottage Grove, but senior attacker Maria Michels had other plans, scoring twice in the 2-1 overtime win over St. Peter.

The Saints focused on defense in this quarterfinal match, and the Red Knights' offense -- which has been averaging just over four goals per game this season -- was held largely silent until Michels got busy.

"They were just getting behind the ball," Benilde head coach Scott Helling-Christy said of St. Peter's defense. "Every time we won the ball, they got back and protected their goal. We just had to find a way to break it down."

It didn't happen until the final minutes of the opening half, but Michels broke down the Saints' defense by drawing first blood with a 15-yard goal, assisted by sophomore defender Mimi Burns.

The Red Knights were held scoreless through the second half, but Michels found the net again to end the sudden-death overtime period and advance the Red Knights to the semifinal round.

St. Peter's senior midfielder Tori Wilking evened the score at one midway through the second half on a beautiful direct shot that found the upper left corner of the net.

"Possession-wise, we kept the ball and created more chances than they did," Helling-Christy said. "We were just hoping that because of that, it was going to go in our favor."

South St. Paul 1, Kasson Mantorville 0: There was plenty of running in the Class 1A quarterfinal match between South St. Paul and Kasson-Mantorville, but very little scoring.

Freshman forward Hannah Marion scored for South St. Paul, poking the ball in from 5 yards out in the game's 23rd minute.