Right about now the Century boys soccer team has to be wondering what it has to do score on Michael Gilchrist.

On Tuesday the Patriots outplayed St. Mary's by a pretty comfortable margin, but the all-state goalkeeper made sure his Saints walked out with a 0-0 draw in a battle of West Region unbeatens.

Last year Century scored more goals than any other team en route to winning the state title, but Gilchrist shut out the Patriots twice.

On Tuesday Gilchrist continued his hold over CHS, making 11 stops - including one that had to be seen to be believed.

As a result, both teams finished the night the way they started - tied for first place atop the West Region.

"There wasn't a whole lot not to like,"CHS coach Joel Jahnke said. "(St. Mary's)is a good team. We had a dozen or more chances to score, at least three or four solid ones.

"But Michael Gilchrist came up with a first-class save in the corner."

Gilchrist made the play of the game in the 10th minute, somehow contorting to take away what looked to be a sure goal on a header by Peter Pomonis.

"It was dropping faster than Iexpected, so the save was more awkward than what Iassumed," Gilchrist said. "But in those situations you have to do whatever is possible.It doesn't matter how weird you look."

St. Mary's got most of its pressure in the first half, but Century keeper Michael Frenzel (eight saves) handled it with no trouble. Still Jahnke, wanted to tighten up things.

"The first half our defense was really pretty disorganized," Jahnke said. "They had two opportunities for breakaways that didn't end up getting to Michael, but could have."

The second half pretty much belonged to Century, but the Patriots couldn't find a way to punch one in.

Gilchrist came up with another gem in the 50th minute, diving to his right to stop a shot by Aaron Nelson.

"The cross came across the box, and he didn't hit it right," Gilchrist said. "It didn't come as fast as Iexpected, but I was able to make the save."

Gilchrist acknowledged that the more experienced Saints were fortunate to come away with the tie.

"We got over-possessed," he said. "Without a doubt they outplayed us."

And Century was left looking forward to a rematch.

"This is a start for us," midfielder Jake Gartner said. "This gives us something to shoot for. We know that we can play with them this year, so let's take it to them next time."

First half: No scoring.

Second half: No scoring.

Halftime: C 0, SM 0.

Goalkeeper saves: SM - Michael Gilchrist. C - Michael Frenzel.

Yellow cards: None. Red cards: None.

Records: SM 3-0-1 West Region, 4-0-2 overall; C 3-0-1, 4-0-2.

Bismarck 4, Minot 1

Bismarck has tailored its game plan pretty specifically to its opponents. Facing Minot was a chance to finally cut loose, and the result was a season-high four goals.

Freshman Jackson Binegar scored his first two varsity goals, and senior Mark Hovland had a goal and an assist for Bismarck.

"It's definitely a step forward," Hovland said. "We've still got some things to work on, but I felt like the forwards were a lot more active up top."

That was clear immediately, as Randy Tardif set up Bojan Buzakovic for a goal just 1:15 into the game.

The Magicians evened it up at 9:45. Zach Pulkinen chipped in a pass to Brandon Alley, who knocked one in off the underside of the crossbar.

The Demons appeared to regain the lead in the 27th minute.

Hovland took a direct kick from near midfield. The ball took an odd hop and bounced off Minot goalkeeper Josh Nelson. Two Demons were there to play the rebound - Tardif put one off the right post, and Kaleb Graham tapped that carom in. But the goal was waved off because BHS was ruled to be offside.

That didn't slow the Demons. Hovland got the game-winner in the 37th minute, picking the top right corner of the net from 25 yards out. It was the first goal of the year for the standout midfielder.

"I just kind of had some space about 25 yards out," Hovland said. "We had the wind, so I just wanted to put one on frame. I just let one rip."

In the second half, Hovland set up Binegar for an insurance goal, then Binegar scored on a give-and-go with Matt Kessler.

"We did a really good job of finishing. I was proud of that," BHS coach Tim Green said. "Being a former forward, you only get the ball as much as you want to work for it."

First half: 1. B, Bojan Buzakovic (Randy Tardif), 1:43. 2. M, Brandon Alley (Zach Pulkinen), 9:45. 3. B, Mark Hovland (Kevin Kraft), 36:11.

Second half: 4. B, Jackson Binegar (Hovland), 64:14. 5. B, Binegar (Matt Kessler), 71:50.

Halftime: B 2, M 1.

Goalkeeper saves: M - Josh Nelson 2. B - Connor Kelley 3.

Yellow cards: None. Red cards: None.

Records: M 1-3-0 West Region, 2-5-0 overall. B 2-2-0, 3-3-0.

Click here to view a photo gallery from the game.