116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa City Liberty move onto finals with 3-2 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington
Iowa City Liberty move onto Class 3A boys’ soccer final against Urbandale Friday, June 6, 2025 in hopes of their second state title in three years
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
DES MOINES – Mason Pentecost continues to shine when the lights are their brightest.
After scoring just two goals in 15 games this season, the Iowa City Liberty senior with a history of finding the net in the boys’ soccer state tournament did it again Thursday.
“I feel like I just develop as a player through the season and I’m at my best skill-wise,” Pentecost said after his goal in the 12th minute gave No. 2 Iowa City Liberty the lead for good in a 3-2 victory over No. 8 Cedar Rapids Washington in a Class 3A state semifinal at Mediacom Stadium. “Just everything at the very end of the season. That’s why I feel like I prosper.”
Iowa City Liberty senior Mason Pentecost scored a goal in the 12th minute as the Lightning beat Cedar Rapids Washington 3-2, in a Class 3A state semifinal.
— Douglas Miles (@douglasmilesCRG) June 5, 2025
Pentecost now has three goals in five career state tournament matches.
Liberty can win a second state title Friday. #iahssoc pic.twitter.com/PB7FcFF0NI
The goal was reminiscent of Liberty’s charge to a state championship two years ago when, as a sophomore, Pentecost scored two of his three goals that season in the state tournament, including one in the final.
After penalty kicks were needed to break a scoreless stalemate in Monday’s state quarterfinal victory, Pentecost wasted little time getting the scoring started this time.
“I just saw a space and I took it with my left foot,” Pentecost said. “I just had space and took it.”
Liberty forward Japhet Bongo extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 26th minute. The two-score cushion allowed the Lightning to play a little more freely for the remainder of the first half.
“It definitely made us a lot more confident, I feel like,” Pentecost said. “It was really nice for Japhet to put that one in.”
With the Lightning on top, 2-1, fellow senior Roman Riggs tacked on what appeared to be an insurance goal in the 73 rd minute, but it became the difference in the match when Washington scored in the closing seconds.
For Riggs – a captain on the 2023 state championship team – the moment was especially sweet after missing last season due to injury.
“I worked hard when I was by myself and here I am, back in the state championship with all the guys I missed the season with,” Riggs said.
The victory delivered Liberty (13-5-2) to the 3A final against No. 4 Urbandale (13-4) Friday at 5 at Mediacom Stadium. Win there, and the Lightning will have their second state title in three years.
“That was pretty max effort,” Liberty Coach Matt Harding said. “So I think we are going to benefit from all the guys on the bench getting in, getting five, 10 minutes for us to we could rest the starters a little bit. Save some legs for the end of that game and hopefully save some legs for (Friday).”
Senior Jacob Klein scored twice for Washington, which ends its season at 8-6-4. No boys’ soccer team in state history has qualified for more state tournaments (13) without reaching a state championship match than the Warriors.
“They just do everything pretty well,” Washington Coach J.P. Graham said of Liberty. “Good goalkeeping, good defense, midfield works really hard. When they got their opportunities, they finished them today.”
Comments: dem52314@yahoo.com
Daily Newsletters