It was a rematch of last year's state boys soccer championship in name only, but Century showed its rebuilding project is a lot further along than Bismarck's with Thursday's 1-0 win over the Demons.

Although both teams were hit hard by graduation, the Patriots haven't much looked it. CHS (4-0-1) remained unbeaten in impressive fashion.

Century's lone goal came on a first-half penalty kick from Peter Pomonis, but the Patriots outshot the Demons 27-6 and had a huge edge in scoring chances.

"Obviously with 27 shots, you'd like more than one goal, and the goal from a PK," CHS coach Joel Jahnke said. "But overall I'm pretty happy with us, especially if we can start finishing."

Bismarck had the first great scoring chance of the game, coming on a corner kick in the 19th minute. Century goalkeeper Michael Frenzel came out to try to play Mark Hovland's cross, but missed it. Jackson Binegar nearly put in the loose ball, but a Century defender prevented the goal.

In the 26th minute Century broke the deadlock. Pomonis lobbed a ball over the Century defense to Nick Anderson, who tried for a header, but was fouled in the box.

"The defense kind of thought Iwas going to go to the corner, but I crossed it in,"Pomonis said. "Then the other guy pushed Nick Anderson."

Pomonis took the penalty kick and found the left side for his third goal of the season with 14:56 left in the half.

The senior midfielder said plenty of experience taking PKs, both in summer soccer and practice, kept his nerves calm.

"I figured I didn't have to hit it that hard, just place it in the corner,"he said.

The goal seemed to take the life out of Bismarck.

"You try and coach and teach your kids not to let instances like that affect the outcome of the game, but it did,"BHS coach Tim Green said.

The Patriots nearly doubled their lead less than three minutes later, but Bismarck's Connor Kelley wrapped up a header from Jordan Wangler.

Chances kept coming for Century early in the second half, but Kelley (14 saves)kept it a one-goal game. He made tough saves on Ryan Buchholz and Jake Gartner, and caught a break when Anderson hit a post.

The Patriots even threatened on a direct kick from 46 yards out midway through the half. Frenzel came up to take the kick and missing just wide.

"(The penalty kick) was a momentum changer,"Pomonis said. "I thought we could put one in, but it didn't happen."

Green was happy that Bismarck didn't allow that to happen.

"I think Century is hitting on all eights. We're not there yet," he said. "If that's the only goal we give against that team, Ifeel pretty good about that."

First half: 1. C, Peter Pomonis (penalty kick), 25:04.

Second half: No scoring.

Halftime: B 0, C 0.

Goalkeeper saves: C - Michael Frenzel 6. B - Connor Kelley 14.

Yellow cards: None. Red cards: None.

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