The first period of extra time came and went with neither side able to find the back of the net. It was going to take something special to get on top in this one.
And just like the Tune Squad thought they were sipping on some sort of magic potion as they launched their comeback bid, perhaps there was a bit of magic dust sprinkled on the oranges the boys at Blake chewed into before the resumption.
Standing around, waiting for the referee to blow his whistle to signal the second half of extra time, Blake needed a hero. Enter Keegan James.
The budding sportsman would have heard countless tales from professionals about how you only achieve success with teamwork. About the importance of banding together. About not looking to do it all on your own (unless your surname is Ronaldo or Messi).
Bollocks, thought James.
The whistle went and the youngster — giving himself a generous run up — launched his right peg at the ball. He connected flush.
Much like Jordan sailed through the air in one of the greatest films of the 20th century, so too might Hollywood one day pay tribute to the way James's strike cut through the atmosphere.
It was straight off the boot, but did it have the legs? You bet.
The ball kept soaring truly until the unthinkable suddenly entered the realm of possibility. Unfortunately for the opposition goalkeeper, that realisation didn't hit him soon enough.
He jumped to his left, but it was too late. The ball was already past him and — miraculously — found the back of the net. 1-0 Blake.
The wonder-goal sparked utter madness. James led the charge towards the stands where Blake's supporters were sitting, and his teammates sprinted after him. The bench cleared as substitutes joined the fun and clothing became optional as shirts were flung onto the turf.
The Blake players jumped on the fence, celebrating with their fans and, quite simply, went absolutely bonkers.
It turns out James wasn't the only hero, though. The idea for the halfway strike came from Blake midfielder Jake Lundberg, who reportedly double checked with the referee to ensure such a move was legal.
"After the first overtime we had switched sides … I walked up to the ref, and I asked him because I didn't know," Lundberg said, according to MN Soccer Hub. "I knew Keegan has a really good shot and knew he would be able to get it up and over, so I looked over him and said, 'You're going to (score) on the kick-off.'"
James could barely believe it. "Honestly, it was a feeling like no other," he said.
