HIGH BOUNCE — Fairmont Area’s Armando Hernandez (right) tracks down a high-bouncing soccer ball as teammate Matthew Kotewa (6) also gives chase during Big South Conference action Thursday night at Kot Soccer Complex in Fairmont. Fairmont Area’s Eli Broomfield (back left), along with St. Peter’s Cooper Dean (5) and Alexander Bosacker (16), watch the play. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Fairmont Area and St. Peter boys soccer teams locked up in a defensive-oriented battle Thursday night, with the visiting Saints exiting Kot Soccer Complex with a lightning-shortened 1-0 win in hand.

St. Peter forward Diego Hettig delivered the Big South Conference game’s only goal off an assist from forward Joshua Vangrootheest with 7:30 remaining in the first half. The goal proved the game-winner as officials called the game off due to lightning with 29:42 remaining in the second half.

From the opening kickoff, the game proved a battle of solid defenses, with strong winds affecting the overall play.

Hettig finally tamed the wind by finding the net off a shot by Vangrootheest that caromed off a Fairmont Area defender. Hettig kicked home the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later, Aaron Graplar produced the Cardinals’ best scoring chance of the game. Graplar tried to clear the ball from the center line and just hit the bottom of the post to be denied the equalizer.

St. Peter goalkeeper Connor Bjorling followed up with possibly the save of the game. Fairmont Area forward Matthew Kotewa had a fast break that was ended quickly by being fouled from behind. Cardinal teammate Benjamin Heinze took the penalty kick, but Bjorling anticipated correctly to making a diving save to his right to keep the home team off the scoreboard.

Still trailing 1-0 going into the second half, Fairmont Area pressed offensively, but was denied the chance to rally as officials called the game after a second lightning delay.

Berny Esquivel Rosales recorded two saves for the Cardinals between the pipes, while Bjorling turned away three shots to net the shutout.

Fairmont Area (4-3-2) travels to Hammer Soccer Complex in Albert Lea on Saturday for a 3 p.m. nonconference game with the Tigers.

St. Peter edged Fairmont Area, 4-3, in junior varsity action Thursday night in Fairmont. Daniel Santiago scored the Cardinals’ first and third goals, while Douglas Garcia netted the home team’s second goal.

Matthew Malo stopped 1 of 4 shots for Fairmont Area, while Jonathan Heinze turned away 3 of 4 shots on net.

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The Fairmont Cardinals and St. Peter Saints played for 22 scoreless minutes before their Big South Conference girls soccer clash in St. Peter was postponed due to lightning.

Fairmont Area (6-0-1) returns to action by playing host to New Ulm at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Kot Soccer Complex in Fairmont.