Linn-Mar breaks through in double overtime to reach state

MARION — One penalty kick shootout against Gunnar Lenzen was enough for Linn-Mar's boys' soccer team.

Having lost in a shootout to Lenzen and Cedar Rapids Washington in last year's state tournament consolation game, the No. 4-ranked Lions made sure they wouldn't have to face Lenzen from the spot again.

Leroy Enzugusi knifed through three Washington defenders and found Ben Johnson, who scored 31 seconds into overtime to give Linn-Mar a 1-0 win in the Class 3A, Substate 4 final Saturday at Linn-Mar Stadium.

'It definitely would have swung their way,' Linn-Mar head coach Corey Brinkmeyer said of a potential shootout. 'We were lucky to get in behind the defense and just maybe catch them standing and watching a little bit.'

The message, 10 minutes away from said shootout, was simple.

'It was just get a goal no matter what,' Johnson said. 'We wanted to avoid (a shootout) at all costs.'

Johnson, the team's leading scorer with 18 goals, was forced to leave the game in the first half with a cut on his forehead.

He took his white uniform off on his way to the locker room and returned with a bandage nearly covering his eyes.

It was better than the alternative.

'They were talking about stitches and I didn't have time for that,' Johnson said. 'I wanted to get back in.'

After slicing the ball into the net with the outside of his foot, his uniform came off again, this time in a frenzied celebration.

'It's the best feeling in the world. Nothing better,' Johnson said.

Washington's strategy was clear from the beginning – sit back in a compact defense.

The Lions beat the Warriors 3-1 just last week, but had a much more difficult time connecting in the final third Saturday.

'We changed some things up,' Washington head coach JP Graham said. 'What we did differently tactically worked pretty well today. We really limited their opportunities.'

After barely entering the box in the first 60 minutes, the Lions cranked up the pressure near the end of regulation. Two shots clanged off the crossbar, and Lenzen was forced to make two diving stops in the final 80 seconds.

'I thought the momentum at the end of the game made a huge difference,' Brinkmeyer said. 'I thought it might just be a matter of time.'

There was little action in the first overtime, but Enzugusi pounced on a lazy ball at midfield and made it to the top of the box, where Johnson was waiting.

'It all kind of came pretty quick,' Johnson said. 'I was looking down the field and the ball just kind of popped to Leroy. It happened in a matter of like five seconds that the ball was at my feet and then in the back of the net.'

The loss snapped Washington's (9-9) two-year state qualifying streak.

Linn-Mar (17-3) won its first state tournament game in four appearances last year. The Lions will take on Mississippi Valley Conference foe Dubuque Hempstead at 5:15 p.m. Thursday. Hempstead won the regular season meeting 3-1 on May 5.