Iowa City Regina looks strong in boys’ state soccer quarterfinal shutout of Hudson

DES MOINES — Iowa City Regina does not automatically advance to the boys’ state soccer semifinals. It only feels that way sometimes.

The second-ranked Regals (16-3) are in the final four for the seventh time in the last eight seasons and 14th time since 2008 after a 3-0 win over No. 8 Hudson (14-6) in a Class 1A state quarterfinal Wednesday at Cownie Soccer Park.

Jack Hoover found Quinn Warren in the 16th minute to open the scoring, then Ethan Beard’s 30th-minute shot caromed off the goalkeeper’s hand, the post and in to make it 2-0.

“Jack got the ball and saw me running behind after there was a gap in the middle,” Warren said. “I just made the run and tried to get to the striker.

“We’ve seen that on film. We’ve tried to implement that play throughout the year in games, so to be able to do it so perfectly, it’s huge.”

Beard drew a penalty with 10:26 left and Eddie Petersen scored Regina’s third from the spot.

Defensively, it was an equally impressive performance as Regals goalkeeper Will Farnsworth pitched his 12th shutout of the season.

“I’m never nervous walking on a pitch,” Farnsworth said. “I know I have a great defense in front of me.

“It took us a while to settle into our new formation, but after we’ve found our places, our defense plays well together. The chemistry there is just so good.”

Regina will meet No. 3 North Fayette Valley (16-3) in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Drake Stadium. The TigerHawks got their first state tournament win Wednesday, 2-1 over West Sioux.

The Regals will try to advance to a state championship game for the ninth time in their 16th state tournament appearance.

“We just have to keep playing as well as we can,” Farnsworth said. “We’ve had some games where we didn’t play our best, but it’s tournament time, so we’re ready to go.”

The Regals believe they’re battle tested and ready for a semifinal challenge after having played in a highly-competitive River Valley Conference that sent three teams to state this year.

“I think the tougher schedule you play coming in, you don’t want to be surprised in terms of what people can do with the ball when you get here,” Regina Coach Rick Larew said. “And so I think that helps a lot.”