116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa City West fit ‘instinctive goal-scorers’ together and is rewarded in boys’ state soccer tournament
Kaleab Wendy and Michael Nelson both scored in West’s 2-0 state quarterfinal win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy
DES MOINES — It was naturally a bit of a slow start, though you’d never know it watching Iowa City West’s starting forwards now.
Michael Nelson scored 30 goals for the Trojans last season, but an offseason knee injury meant he wouldn’t start 2023 at full strength.
Kaleab Wendy joined West this season after totaling 31 goals in two years at Iowa City Regina.
Wednesday night at Cownie Soccer Park, they started together at the top of West’s formation and both found the net to help the sixth-ranked Trojans top No. 10 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2-0, in a Class 4A state quarterfinal game.
“He has his own strengths, I have my own strengths,” said Wendy, a junior. “We put it together, I think we put defenders in a scary place.”
Nelson couldn’t be in the starting lineup to begin his senior season as he worked his way back. Wendy helped carry the early scoring load and still leads the Trojans with 16 goals. Nelson is up to 13.
“I wouldn’t say a rocky start, but we were just getting to know each other,” Nelson said. “We played club a little bit together, but not too much. We’ve just kind of built that chemistry on the field and off the field. I think, so far, we’ve done pretty well.”
Wendy had played club soccer with some of the Trojans (16-2), so adjusting to a new high school team was only a matter of time.
“I’ve known most of the players from club and we’ve been playing in the offseason, too,” Wendy said. “We already had the chemistry.”
With guys like Liam Teghanemt and Ruichar Medina playing balls over the top, Nelson and Wendy can counter quickly. Together, they give opposing back lines a lot to think about — and a whole lot of chasing to do.
The next challenge comes Thursday night against No. 2 West Des Moines Dowling (16-2) in a semifinal game that starts at 7:10 p.m.
“I think when you get two natural, instinctive goal-scorers, they can read those little flicks and those little passes and some of those subtle lanes,” West Coach Brad Stiles said. “Kaleab’s effort on the attacking side of things kind of makes up for maybe what Nelson lost a little bit in his injury. It’s a solid combination.”
Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters