WEST FARGO -- The West Fargo Packers boys soccer team has been piecing together a highlight-worthy season in the last portion of its schedule.
The Packers sit atop the Eastern Dakota Conference with a 7-0-3 record and they are 7-1-3 overall. They have 24 conference points and lead Fargo Davies (7-2-1) by two points. West Fargo plays host to Fargo Shanley at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
With a big corps of seniors, the Packers have been thriving off the veteran experience.
"We really want it this year, because it is our last year of high school soccer," said senior forward Andrew Knudsvig. "We said during the offseason that, 'This is our last year, boys. We got to go get it.'"
West Fargo has 12 seniors on the roster this fall. Among the group, seven were a part of the state title team from 2022.
The Packers defeated Fargo Davies 2-1 in double-overtime to earn the school's fifth championship in program history.
Senior goalkeeper Bonfas Loria understands the importance of his role as a leader on the team to help develop the underclassmen.
"We tell (the underclassmen) to watch what we're doing and ask questions," Loria said.
West Fargo has made it an almost yearly tradition to appear in the state tournament. The Packers made the tournament in each of the last two seasons.
Second-year head coach Matt Crawford said his group of seniors are keeping the program's winning culture alive.
"They're carrying on such a great tradition," Crawford said. "They're learning what it takes to win. ... They know how to rally around each other and just celebrate all the little moments."
Despite a season of nearly flawless play, the Packers opened the season on a sour note. West Fargo fell to West Fargo Sheyenne 3-1 in a non-conference matchup on Aug. 16.
Following the game, West Fargo regrouped and has not been dealt a loss since.
Among the team's talented lineup, Crawford said senior defender Desire Masiri and junior midfielder Ridwan Fuad have been valuable pieces this season.
The team's closeness both on and off the field shows when the Packers hit the field.
"They've been playing together for so long that their team chemistry is wonderful," Crawford said. "They have their goal in mind, and it's just pushing them and getting them to maintain a standard."
West Fargo has four games remaining in the regular season. The top four teams in the East Region will advance to the state tournament, set to begin on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Cushman Field in Grand Forks.
West Fargo will continue to improve in the final weeks of the season. The team can't lose sight of the end goal with only a few more games left, Knudsvig said.
"We just gotta keep going and not give up," Knudsvig said. "Play every game like it's the last we're going to play."
"Keep the intensity high and just keep working every day," Loria added.