Benilde-St. Margaret’s patience and freshman Matthew Dowden’s poise kept the Red Knights undefeated and a step closer to their boys’ lacrosse state championship mission.

Dowden scored all three of his goals in the second half as undefeated Benilde-St. Margaret’s outlasted an undermanned Mahtomedi team in a 9-6 semifinal victory.

Dowden iced Thursday’s game at Minnetonka High School with a tremendous individual effort. Possessing the ball behind the Zephyrs goal, he eyed the dwindling scoreboard clock. When the goaltender came out to double-team Dowden, he wiggled free and scored with 1:18 left.

“He’s smart,” Red Knights (17-0) coach Rob Horn said. “At the beginning of the year, he might not have made that play but it’s a growth thing with freshmen.”

Top-seed and undefeated Benilde-St. Margaret’s outlasted undermanned but determined Mahtomedi in a 9-6 state tournament semifinal victory.

The Red Knights (17-0) pulled away in the fourth quarter after leading the Zephyrs 5-4 at halftime Thursday at Minnetonka High School.

The No. 5 seed Zephyrs (14-4) were without two injured attackmen but battled.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s, the runner-up last season, returns to the title game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Chanhassen High School.

Check back later for more on the game.