West Liberty victorious over Tipton 3-1 in River Valley Conference match

TIPTON — Generating offense.

It’s what the Andrade-Martinez brothers do.

Javier and Uriel Andrade-Martinez scored all three goals for Class 1A No. 2 West Liberty in a 3-1-win Monday over River Valley Conference foe Tipton (8-4-1).

“We've been playing soccer together since we were 3 or 4,” senior Javier Andrade-Martinez said. “We’ve always had that bond. We know what we do best together.”

Javier was first to score Monday, capitalizing on a free kick late in the first half.

“It was a tale of two halves,” West Liberty Coach Walton Ponce said. “I think that last-minute goal in the first, if that doesn't go in, it's maybe a different second half.”

With 23:11 remaining, Javier launched a perfectly placed cross pass from deep, which Uriel headed into the net putting the Comets on top.

“We just have that eye contact — a look,” junior Uriel Andrade-Martinez said. “Like, when you know, you know.”

“This is what we do,” senior Javier said. “He’s my first instinct to go to. I always know where he’s going to be, and I try to find him.”

Javier is the Comets’ leader in assists with 10.

“I don’t even know where to start with my brother,” Uriel said. “He makes everybody better. It’s the beautiful passes. He tracks down balls. He defends with heart. He’s just a great player to be around.”

Uriel converted on penalty kick with 20:31 to seal the win for West Liberty (11-1). It was his team-leading 20th goal — good for fourth in Class 1A.

“It’s been special having them play together,” Ponce said. “Sometimes they’re too hard on themselves, but at the end of the day, it’s special.

“All these boys play soccer together in the offseason. It’s their thing. I’m just blessed to be a part of it.”

There’s plenty of depth alongside the talented duo.

Freshman Iker Garcia Rosas is second on the team with 17 goals. West Liberty also has five players with at least four goals and five assists.

“There's something special about this group,” Ponce said. “The fluidity of how we play is a lot more consistent than it's been, even with more talented teams that we've had.”

Monday’s win also a was bounce-back for West Liberty. The Comets dropped a hotly contested match, 2-1, to 1A No. 4 Iowa City Regina (9-2-2) on Friday.

“It was a gut punch,” Ponce said. “We didn’t deserve to lose on Friday. We have big goals as a program, but as a competitor, an athlete, after a loss, you should come back more motivated and hungry.

“They were motivated to get that result tonight.”

West Liberty has qualified for the state tournament every year since 2019, reaching the semifinal round 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2024.

They’re ready for the next step.

“Getting to the semis four times and not getting to that final game … that’s something where we have to get that monkey off our back,” Ponce said. “Our objectives are clear, but we know it's a challenge and a grind — we're prepping for that.”

With the Andrade-Martinez brothers going strong, the Comets have a real shot.

“Honestly, I think it’s mindset over everything,” Uriel said. “We have all the pieces. We’re just going to put them together.”