Iowa City Regina completes third state soccer shutout for 1A championship

DES MOINES- Through three Class 1A state tournament games, Iowa City Regina didn't allow a single goal.

First, there was the 3-0 drubbing of Solon. Then a shootout victory that came after the Regals and Dyersville Beckman played 100 scoreless minutes. And, finally, on Saturday afternoon, a 1-0 win over Davenport Assumption (16-7) in the championship Saturday at Cownie Stadium.

As the old adage goes, defense wins titles. Sure, Regina (16-5) didn't score a whole lot either - though forward Nick Pechous had a tremendous tournament, scoring three goals - but it was also players like senior all-tournament defender Tommy Rapp and, of course, the tremendous prowess of freshman keeper Josh Dutchik that helped make a difference.

Throughout the season, the Regals have built their identity on defending and being more in shape than anyone else they've come across. They were both during the tournament and especially so against the Knights.

'When they don't score, it makes everything easier for our offense,” Rapp said. 'Everyone keeps their head.”

Pechous struck early for the Regals. After several corner kicks - and a bit of frustration - the junior midfielder got his head on a ball from Nicholas Yowell near the net in the 10th minute. It almost missed, actually, as it ricocheted off keeper Gaige Ash's hands and nearly went out.

The reason he was in the position to begin with was a subtle shift in his corner kick routine.

'A couple weeks ago, instead of getting on the goalie, I started making runs off the back post,” Pechous said. 'I saw it open and when it came to my head, I knew I had to put it away.”

Sometimes, however, games are decided by the smallest bounces. This time it went the Regals way and the ball was pushed across the goal line. Regina's crowed erupted, while the Assumption players and fans slumped.

The following 31 minutes were perhaps some of the most entertaining scoreless time played throughout the entire tournament. Both the Knights and Regals let absolutely everything fly, turning shots from one team into counterattacks for the other.

The defense on each side held, with each squad making some truly impressive clears.

'I never really felt like we were in jeopardy on our defense,” Regals head coach Rick Larew said. 'They didn't take advantage of a couple our miscues like I thought they would.”

Oh, and there certainly were miscues on both sides. Davenport Assumption had a number of chances in the game to equalize and ended the game with nine shots, three of which were on goal.

Dutchik, a day removed from a brilliant outing against Dyersville Beckman, was excellent again in the net. He was also named to the all-tournament team, along with Jonah Warren and Pechous, who was the captain.

Pechous nearly had another goal late in the second half, through it was knocked away in a tremendous effort. Regina totaled 11 shots for the game, two of which were on goal.

In the end, however, the Regals got their sixth state title. Five of those have been decided by just a single goal.

'Soccer can turn on a dime,” Larew said. 'It's so hard to score, yet it's so easy. Big net back there, small goal. This time we got that break in front of the goal.”

l Comments: jordan.hansen@thegazette.com