Cedar Rapids Washington gets confidence back after difficult stretch of boys’ soccer schedule

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Warriors just needed to see the metaphorical “brick wall” go down.

It was all over from there.

Holden Smith and Mwena Tambwe recorded hat tricks for the Cedar Rapids Washington boys’ soccer team Monday in a bounce-back, 10-0, win over Davenport West at Kingston Stadium.

It was a much-needed offensive explosion for a team looking to get back on the right foot.

“Once we got one, then they got in a rhythm,” Washington Coach John Graham said. “It took us 10 or 12 minutes to do it. We had some good chances, but sometimes you just mentally have this brick wall in front of you. Then once you get one in, it comes down and everybody feels like they can just do their job and get some goals.”

Monday’s victory was refreshing for a Warriors team that had just completed the most challenging part of its schedule.

Washington (6-6) was Class 3A’s No. 7 team in the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s initial rankings posted on April 15.

Since then, the Warriors have played Class 3A No. 7 Cedar Rapids Xavier, 4A No. 4 Iowa City West and 4A No. 6 Linn-Mar. The Warriors lost those matches 3-1, 5-0 and 4-0, respectively.

“We played good (against the ranked opponents), and even against Linn-Mar, we didn't play great, but we battled,” Graham said. “So, I know we can compete with the best teams. It's just about where the kids’ heads are at.

“That's why (Monday) is important. Just to get the finishing touch, get the kids’ confidence back that they can score.”

Smith, Washington’s leading scorer, was first to strike Monday after finding an opening on the right side of the net with 25:25 remaining in the first period.

“We're just trying to figure things out,” Smith said. “Like coach has been saying, trying to crisp in our passes, trying to get smooth. So, these games are good practice to get us ready for the games coming up.”

Smith scored again on a rebound at the 22:01 mark.

“When he (Smith) scores, we know it's time to score,” Tambwe said.

Just 18 seconds later, following a muffed kick near the goal, Tambwe capitalized and scored his first goal. The Warriors’ first three goals came within a span of 3:42.

“He's (Tambwe) always trying to get options to score,” Smith said. “He (Tambwe) was really good today playing in the nine.”

Shabana Mable added a goal with 9:46 to go in the first.

Tambwe then recorded his hat trick, scoring two goals in the final minute of the first half — one with 45 seconds remaining, the second with 14.

Smith matched Tambwe with his third score early in the second.

Ferner Kiza, Jacob Klein and Eddy Ngiriweneza also added goals as the 10-goal mercy rule came into effect with 13:32 left.

“It's only our second shutout of the year, so that's kind of a key point for us, too,” Graham said. “Sometimes we just need to shut the door. It doesn't matter how many we score if we don't shut the door.”

Washington will close its regular season with games against Western Dubuque, Dubuque Hempstead, Waterloo West and 4A No. 9 Iowa City High.