Late ‘magic’ propels Linn-Mar to within a game of state tournament

MARION - The Lions wanted a shot.

They’ll get it.

Thanks to stellar defense and some late-game “magic,” Linn-Mar (8-8-1) advanced past Des Moines North (9-7), 2-0, at home Tuesday in a Class 4A substate 2 boys’ soccer semifinal.

After nearly 75 minutes of scoreless soccer, an Owen Sieren goal with 5:15 remaining put Linn-Mar on top.

Junior Joel Sheets set up the score with an aggressive drive to the net. Sheets fired a rocket that North’s goalie deflected, redirecting the ball to Sieren, who rebounded and converted.

“It was absolutely amazing, a great team goal,” Sieren said. “Joel Sheets did it all there. I just found my spot, the ball came and I tapped it in. Kudos to Joel there.”

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“Our strength of schedule put us in a position to be able to host this game,” Linn-Mar Coach Corey Brinkmeyer said. “It was nice to play in front of our home fans one more time and just let the magic flow.”

With 15 seconds left, senior Seth Comer added an insurance goal, sealing a Lions’ win.

“If you roll back the film after the second goal, I think I ran down with the team to the corner flag to celebrate,” Brinkmeyer said. “One goal is nice, two goals with less than five minutes left … that pretty much secures it.”

Now, the Lions have what they want right out in front of them — a chance to reach the state tournament with a win.

To qualify, Linn-Mar will have to take down 4A second-ranked Des Moines Roosevelt (16-1-1) in Des Moines on Thursday.

“Last year, we were within a minute of making it to state and things kind of fell apart, so we’ve got nothing to lose,” Brinkmeyer said. “Nobody outside of our room probably expects us to win, so we have the mentality to leave it all on the line.”

The Roughriders are first in 4A with 66 assists and second with 76 goals. Before Tuesday’s 3-1 semifinal win over Mason City, Roosevelt hadn’t gave up a goal since April 25.

Fortunately for the Lions, taking on top-tier competition is nothing new.

Linn-Mar has played a grueling schedule, facing eight ranked teams this year, including 4A No. 3 Iowa City High, No. 8 Ankeny, No. 1 West Des Moines Valley, No. 7 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 3A No. 8 Cedar Rapids Washington, No. 9 Marion, No. 2 Iowa City Liberty and 2A No. 3 Cedar Rapids Xavier.

“We have the talent to play with any team, and we’ve done so all year,” Brinkmeyer said. “The results haven’t always come, but we’ve played well enough that there are things we can build on — so that’s what we’re taking to Des Moines on Thursday.”

A win over the Roughriders would send the Lions back to state for the first time since 2016.

“All four years on varsity, we haven’t made it to state yet,” Sieren said. “So us seniors, we’re really looking to punch that ticket. We’re going to give our best shot and take advantage of that opportunity.”

“I thought last year we had it, so we’re prepping, we’re watching film tonight (Tuesday), we’re meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and we’ll hit the turf,” Brinkmeyer said. “We’ll get on the big yellow submarine (Thursday) and see if we can’t surprise some people.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Mediacom Stadium.