A spectacular individual effort and a game of keep-away proved to be the difference for Lakeville North as the Panthers slipped past Blaine 14-13 on Tuesday in the state quarterfinals.

Down a goal with less than seven minutes left, Abby Schaefer’s hustle re-energized a Lakeville North team that had seen a three-goal lead turned into a one-goal deficit. The senior midfielder raced downfield and corralled a loose ball just before it crossed the end line, came back out front, cut across the Blaine goal and drilled the game-tying goal.

To that point, Blaine had outplayed the Panthers in the second half at Minnetonka High School, rallying from a 10-7 halftime deficit. Abby Jones, Blaine’s blazing midfielder who led the state in goals with 101, scored her seventh goal of the game to give the Bengals a 13-12 lead with 6:35 left.

Just a few seconds later, Schaefer’s remarkable individual play stemmed Blaine’s momentum.

Lakeville North scored two goals in a span of 50 seconds late in the second half, then played keep-away to defeat Blaine 14-13 on Tuesday in the state quarterfinals at Minnetonka High School.

The Panthers got goals from Abby Schaefer and Chloe Fisher to re-take the lead after Blaine had taken 13-12 lead on Abby Jones’ seventh goal with 6:35 left. Schaefer scored five goals and Olivia Mattis had four for Lakeville North (14-2).

Check back later for more on the game.