Iowa boys’ state soccer championships 2021: Live stream, schedule, game previews

DES MOINES — The 2021 Iowa high school boys’ state soccer champions will be crowned Saturday at Cownie Soccer Park.

All three games feature at least one program making its first appearance in the state finals.

Here’s a closer look at the matchups.

Class 1A

No. 1 Burlington Notre Dame/West Burlington (22-1) vs. No. 10 Western Christian (16-1)

Time: noon

Live stream: NFHS Network (subscription required)

How they got here: Notre Dame/West Burlington stopped three-time defending champion Iowa City Regina, ranked No. 3, 4-2 in the semifinals after beating No. 6 Waterloo Columbus 4-1 in the quarterfinals. Western Christian toppled No. 12 North Fayette Valley 2-0 in the quarterfinals, then rallied from a halftime deficit to beat No. 5 West Liberty 2-1.

Top goal scorers

Notre Dame/West Burlington: Sam Brueck (35), Cole Ward (28), Gabe Zurita (24)

Western Christian: Bailey Baccam (23), Eli Van Essen (16), Miles Baccam (7)

Overview: Notre Dame/West Burlington hasn’t displayed any nerves in its state debut, tied for an all-class 2021 tournament-best eight goals in its first two games. The Nikes’ only loss this year came in overtime to 3A North Scott. The Wolfpack also earned their first spring state tournament win earlier this week after being knocked out in the first round in their lone previous appearance in 2009. Western Christian was ranked No. 10 in the final coaches poll, but earned the No. 2 seed here and has proved worthy. Its only loss is to 2A No. 5 Spencer, 3-2.

Class 2A

No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier (14-5) vs. No. 6 Bondurant-Farrar (18-3)

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Live stream: NFHS Network (subscription required)

How they got here: Xavier shut out Marion 1-0 and Adel ADM 2-0 in the first two rounds. After a pair of 2-0 wins in the substate tournament, Bondurant-Farrar erupted for a 4-1 win over No. 11 Sergeant Bluff-Luton, then scored a PK in overtime to beat No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes 4-3 in the semifinals.

Top goal scorers

Xavier: Reilly Moore (15), Lincoln Oakley (12), Arnold Mutasingwa (11)

Bondurant-Farrar: Oskar White (30), Caleb Gymer (20), Zach Kline (15)

Overview: The Saints have been on a mission to get here ever since losing 1-0 to Lewis Central as the top-ranked team in the 2019 final. They haven’t lost to a 2A team this year and are now a win away from their eighth state title, which would tie Iowa City Regina for the second most. Making its third state tournament appearance, Bondurant-Farrar is in the finals for the first time after losing first-round games in 1999 and 2009. Oskar White has scored twice in each of B-F’s two games this week. The Bluejays are champions of the Raccoon River Conference. Xavier beat that league’s runner-up, ADM, on Thursday.

Class 3A

No. 3 Iowa City West (20-1) vs. No. 5 Pleasant Valley (19-3)

Time: 5 p.m.

Live stream: NFHS Network (subscription required)

How they got here: West rallied twice after falling behind in the first half this week, first pummeling No. 11 Sioux City West 5-1 behind four goals from Kolby Godbolt, then edging No. 4 West Des Moines Valley 3-2. Pleasant Valley won a pair of 1-0 decisions, against No. 2 Cedar Rapids Prairie and No. 7 Johnston.

Top goal scorers

West: Kolby Godbolt (21), Michael Nelson (14), Marko Migambi (7)

Pleasant Valley: Rhys Ward (12), Bryce Rubel (11), Alex Hunter, Joey Borbeck (6)

Overview: West is the tournament’s top seed after two-time defending champion Waukee suffered its first loss in the substate finals, in penalties to Ankeny Centennial. The Trojans, Mississppi Valley Conference Valley Division winners, are seeking a record 10th state championship. Their only loss this season came in OT at Prairie. PV, the Mississippi Athletic Conference champion, advanced all the way to the title game in its state tournament debut. Goalkeeper Gabe Johnson has made 17 saves in the Spartans’ two shutout wins this week. These teams beat each other’s rivals in the substate finals: West eliminated No. 9 Bettendorf, 3-0, and PV got past No. 8 Iowa City High, 2-1, on a late PK.