Decorah falls short of shot at 2A title

DES MOINES – Dubuque Wahlert got the best of Decorah again, though this time it was a bit more painful.

Wahlert earned its third straight championship game berth with a narrow 2-1 victory Friday in a Class 2A state tournament semifinal at Cownie Soccer Park, and will play Cedar Rapids Xavier today for its second state title in three years.

Decorah (17-2) had its dream season move to the consolation bracket and the third-place game against Sioux City Heelan. The Vikings' only other blemish this season was a 1-0 loss to Wahlert.

“It's tough,” said senior defender Cody Sacquitine. “They are a really good team… I feel the refs had a little bit to do with (the loss). We played our hearts out but just didn't get it done.”

Wahlert (16-2) struck first on a penalty kick by Mike Meyer less than seven minutes into the match.

Sacquitine then found Brock Arend streaking downfield for the tying goal. Arend headed the ball high and hard past leaping Wahlert goalkeeper Ryan Ernst.

“He's not afraid to go get it,” Sacquitine said. “He tries to win every single ball that he can.”

It stayed 1-1 until Mitch Burgmeier headed in the game-winner for Wahlert in the 43

^rd

minute.

The Eagles dominated the early part of the second half and kept the ball in their offensive zone most of the first half, too.

“We came out a little harder than they did in the second half and got our goal,” said Wahlert coach Nick Rizzo. “They pounded us near the end. We were fortunate. It's an even game every time we play these guys.”

Decorah's best chance to tie came in the 63

^rd

minute.

Officials did not call a foul in the goalie box on Wahlert that would have resulted in a penalty kick. A few seconds later Zach Kerndt dribbled in from the left wing and blasted a close-in shot that Ernst blocked away.

The Vikings had a few frantic shots on goal in the closing minutes but nothing clean.

“We had chances and were very unlucky with those chances,” said Decorah coach Kyle Nelson. “I felt we deserved more than what happened. The effort was second to none. I've never seen out boys work that hard.

“It should have been a coin flip.”

The Vikings will have to replace 15 seniors from a team that's reached state two of the last three years and captured its first state tournament win since 2005 on Thursday.

They will be hungry to return.

“We lose a lot of guys, but we are going to work really hard to get back here because it is such a great experience,” Sacquitine said.