Boys’ state soccer 2025: A look at Gazette-area teams

The Iowa high school boys’ state soccer tournament kicks off Monday at various regional sites.

The semifinals and finals follow June 4-6 at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines.

Here is a look at the seven Gazette-area boys’ teams that qualified for state.

Class 4A

Third-ranked Iowa City High (15-1-3) is the area’s lone 4A representative in this year’s tournament. The Little Hawks open the quarterfinal round with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against No. 6 Ames (14-3-1) at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex.

City High has followed a run to the state quarterfinals in 2024 with a stellar 2025 season, defeating four ranked teams with ties against fellow 4A powers No. 5 West Des Moines Dowling and No. 8 Ankeny. The Little Hawks’ only loss came against rival Iowa City West (4-3) on April 24.

Jack Dancer leads the team with 21 goals, good for fifth in 4A. His 21st goal broke the single-season record at City High.

Class 3A

Eighth-ranked Cedar Rapids Washington (7-5-4) advanced with a 1-0 win over No. 9 Marion in the substate finals. The victory marks the Warriors’ first consecutive state appearances since 2013-2014.

Washington defeated Cedar Rapids Xavier in the 3A state quarterfinals last season before falling to state champion Dallas Center-Grimes in the semis.

The Warriors will get their shot at revenge against No. 1 DCG (13-2-3) Monday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Dallas Center-Grimes Stadium.

No. 2 Iowa City Liberty (11-5-2) hosts No. 7 Des Moines Hoover (5-11-2) at 5 p.m.

Don’t be fooled by the Huskies’ record — they were forced to forfeit their first nine contests due to playing an eligible athlete.

The Lightning return to state for the first time since being crowned 3A champions in 2023.

Seniors Japhet Bongo and Roman Riggs lead the Bolts with 8 goals apiece.

Class 2A

No. 5 Williamsburg (13-1-3) edged Mount Pleasant, 3-2, in the substate finals to reach state for the first time since 2018.

Seniors Mason Eggleston and Braysen Doehrmann are tied for the team-lead with 16 goals each.

The pair will need to perform at their best to defeat sixth-ranked Burlington Notre Dame (16-3) in the quarterfinals.

The Raiders and Nikes will kick off at 7 p.m. in Williamsburg.

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Class 1A

Fourth-ranked Iowa City Regina (14-2-3) squares off against No. 5 St. Albert (16-2-1) in Urbandale at 5:30 p.m.

The Regals are making their third straight state appearance. They’re led by juniors Laird Holden and Evan White, who’ve combined for 50 goals this season (Holden 26, White 24).

No. 2 West Liberty (16-1-0) will get a taste of Mediacom Stadium where kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. against No. 8 West Sioux (13-3-1).

West Liberty’s Uriel Andrade-Martinez leads the team with 29 goals; brother Javier Andrade-Martinez is tops with 12 assists.

At 5:30 p.m., it’ll be a 2024 state title rematch between defending champion No. 3 North Fayette Valley (14-2-1) and No. 6 Van Meter (15-1-2) at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex.

NFV defeated the Bulldogs, 2-0, on June 1, 2024, at Mediacom Stadium in the 1A title game.

Seniors Brody Schupbach and Lincoln Aeschliman have 22 goals apiece for the Tigerhawks.