West Liberty gets past Western Christian this time with an OT goal in boys’ state soccer quarterfinals

DES MOINES — West Liberty’s last two trips to the boys’ state soccer semifinals ended in defeat to Western Christian.

That won’t be the case this time, because the fifth-ranked Comets already got the fourth-ranked Wolfpack out of the way.

Bruce Songa scored in overtime to give fifth-ranked West Liberty a 2-1 win over No. 4-ranked, defending state champion Western Christian in a Class 1A quarterfinal Wednesday at Cownie Soccer Park.

“I can’t even breathe, man,” West Liberty (13-5) Coach Walton Ponce said. “The support that we get from the community, all the excitement, all the feelings … the commitment that we have put to be here. It’s enormous.

“I told (Songa), look, we got 20 minutes – I don’t want to go to PKs, even though I have full confidence in my goalkeeper and my five. I wanted to finish this game.”

Songa obliged with the game-winning kick.

He also recorded the Comets’ opening goal on a free kick in the 25th minute.

It wasn’t all Songa.

Goalkeeper David Hernandez had a key save on a Western Christian (12-5) penalty kick in the second half.

“We knew a little bit about that PK take,” Ponce said. “It probably shouldn’t have been a PK and I think karma allowed that shot not to go in.”

The win puts West Liberty in the state semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons.

West Liberty will face Van Meter (15-5) in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday at Drake Stadium.The Bulldogs defeated top-ranked West Branch in the quarterfinals.

“We’re back in the final four and we want more,” Ponce said. “It’s time. And I’ll tell you what, this might not be the most talented group we’ve had in the last five years, but as a team, we have a clear understanding of what we’re trying to do. And we’re there.

“We’re a step away, man.”