Marion boys' soccer turnaround results in first state tournament appearance

MARION — Marco Fichtner figured a .500 record was a reasonable goal for his first year as a head coach, taking over a Marion boys' soccer team that was 3-11 last year and had never qualified for the state tournament.

On May 3, the Indians were 7-0 with six regular-season games remaining.

'We adjusted (those goals),' Fichtner said.

Saturday, his players handed him a state-qualifying banner that he draped around his back after No. 16 Marion ousted Clear Creek Amana, 1-0, in a Class 2A substate final at Marion High School.

The Indians (11-4) will play Thursday in the state quarterfinals at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.

'I don't know how much this means to me personally, but it means a lot to these kids and it translates pretty well to the coach as well,' Fichtner said. 'I'm really happy for them, for the school.'

Josiah Smith scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute, scooping up a loose ball, finding Dylan Morahan on the left wing, then getting it back and cutting inside for an open shot in the box.

'(Dylan) had a great pass, I just beat one more guy and it hit the back of the net,' Smith said. 'I honestly didn't even know (what to think).'

That was Marion's first shot of the half, as CCA (11-7) hit the Indians with an early surge.

The Clippers' best chance came in the 12th minute, when Mitch Evans beat goalkeeper Trent Kuethe to the ball at the top of the box, but watched with his hands on his head as his crafty shot floated just wide of the post.

Otherwise, the Clippers mostly settled for attempts from distance, outshooting Marion 20-6 and using the big leg of defender Tyreke Williams for set-piece opportunities. Pau Alberich's volley from close range off a Williams free kick clanged off the crossbar in the 50th minute and Marion held on for its second win over CCA this season, the first coming on the road by a 2-1 score.

'The game we won on their field could be categorized as a lucky win,' Fichtner said. 'I think the game we won today was 100 percent deserved because I think we were the better team over 80 minutes.'

Marion was cautioned three times as it tried to interrupt the Clippers' play on the wings. Plus, captain Alex Whalen had to leave the game momentarily with a cramp. Whalen returned to help the other defenders and midfielders head, boot and poke balls away from danger.

Like Fichtner, Whalen's aspirations quickly changed this season. The junior went from state not entering his thoughts a few months ago — 'I'm not gonna lie, no, not at all' — to tweeting 'I want that banner' earlier this week.

'It feels amazing,' Whalen said. 'It's something I've been dreaming of. My first time going to state in any sport. It's just indescribable.'

I told y'all May 27, 2017

I told y'all https://t.co/AnODQutpQM

— Alex Whalen (@AlexWhalen10)

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