Class 1A and 2A Iowa boys’ state soccer first-round scores: West Branch shut out, but savors state debut

DES MOINES — Coach Ted Miller and the West Branch Bears did what you’re supposed to do when experiencing something new: Learn.

Third-ranked Des Moines Christian’s 4-0 Class 1A quarterfinal win in West Branch’s boys’ state soccer debut gave Miller more ideas as he continues building a program that just completed its fourth varsity season.

“I learned, for sure, communication is a huge part of soccer,” Miller said. “If you watch that Des Moines Christian team, I was impressed with how, not just a few players communicated, the whole entire team did. We learned a lot about that.”

Aaron Alferink opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Samuel Overholt and Grant Dunn followed with goals in the 28th and 38th minutes to make it 3-0 at halftime.

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Photos: West Branch makes state debut against Des Moines Christian

That’s not to say the Bears (14-4) were totally outmatched. They had the ball in the DMC (12-4) box multiple times in the opening minutes but couldn’t find the finishing touch.

Dunn added his second goal of the game in the 46th minute.

“We played one of our better games, to be honest with you,” Miller said. “It may not look like it on the scoreboard, but I thought we played super well. Credit Des Moines Christian. They had some really good passes that slipped through our defenders.”

Class 1A boys’ state soccer quarterfinal scores

Iowa City Regina 2, West Liberty 1 — Jack Hoover scored a pair of goals in a four-minute span in the first half to rally the second-ranked Regals (18-4) past their River Valley Conference rival. Read more about Regina’s win.

Western Christian 1, Treynor 0 — Class 1A runner-up the last two seasons, the fourth-ranked Wolfpack (13-2) will have a chance to get back there again. Western Christian will face Regina this time after beating West Liberty in the semifinals the last two seasons.

Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck 4, Waterloo Columbus 0 — The top-ranked Rebels (19-0) scored in the first minute of the game and steadily piled on to stay undefeated.

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Heelan handles Center Point-Urbana in Class 2A

Alejandro Suarez converted two penalty kicks on his way to a hat trick as No. 3 Sioux City Heelan blanked 11th-ranked Center Point-Urbana, 5-0, in a Class 2A boys’ state soccer quarterfinal.

The Crusaders (14-2) controlled the game with possession and produced most of the chances.

Suarez scored the opener in the 14th minute, but it looked like Center Point-Urbana (12-4) might stay within one at the half. The last two minutes changed that, first with a Jesse Castillo 38th-minute tap-in that made it 2-0. A free kick with seven seconds remaining provided a golden opportunity for the Stormin’ Pointers with the goalkeeper out of his net, but a pair of shots were blocked and the halftime whistle blew.

Center Point-Urbana brings back most of its roster next spring, graduating two seniors.

“It’s a learning opportunity for them,” CPU Coach Curtis Cassidy said. “We’re still a young team. I think coming to the state tournament was great for them. I think it will give them the hunger to come back next year.”

Class 2A boys’ state soccer quarterfinal scores

Davenport Assumption 2, Perry 0 — After winning last year’s Class 1A title, second-ranked Assumption (16-1) will take aim at a spot in the 2A final.

Nevada 1, Webster City 0 — Drew Robinson’s second-half penalty kick gave the fifth-ranked Cubs (16-4) a narrow win over No. 4 Webster City.

Gilbert 5, Greene County 0 — Tyler Holtan had a hat trick in the first 30 minutes and top-ranked Gilbert (19-2) rolled to the Class 2A semifinals, where it will meet Heelan.

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com