Iowa high school boys’ soccer 2021: Gazette area players and teams to watch

After spring sports were canceled in 2020, it's tough to get a complete read on which Iowa high school boys' soccer teams will contend this spring. But here are some Gazette area individuals and teams to keep an eye on in 2021.

Teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Washington — The Warriors have made runs to the semifinals in three of the last six state tournaments. With five starters back from a 2019 team that went 15-6 and advanced to the Class 3A semifinals, Coach J.P. Graham looks to have another formidable team in his 20th season.

Cedar Rapids Xavier — A Class 2A runner-up finish in 2019 was the latest Des Moines exploit for state tournament regular Xavier. The Saints’ current run of 11 straight state appearances is the second longest active streak and fourth longest all-time. They’ve won seven titles and the rigors of their Mississippi Valley Conference schedule will have them prepared for postseason success again this spring.

Iowa City Regina — When there is a spring soccer season, you can pretty much count on Regina ending it at the state tournament. With 12 straight state appearances, Regina currently has the longest streak in Iowa and is chasing the all-time record of 16 set by Bettendorf from 1995 to 2010. Eight of those seasons ended in the state title game — and all eight of those finals were won by the Regals, including the last three. It’s up to a group with many new faces to continue that run of excellence after last year’s seniors were robbed of a chance to go 4-for-4.

Iowa City West — For as good as Regina is, West has just as strong a claim to most successful soccer program in Iowa City (and the state). The Trojans were 3A runners-up in 2019, their second finals appearance in the last three state tournaments. They’ve been to 20 state tournaments in all, including four in a row, and have claimed nine titles. After going 18-2 with multiple sophomores starting, including two defenders, West has a chance to be steadier in 2021 than most teams coming off a canceled season.

Marion — If Xavier is the metro’s boys’ soccer blue blood, Marion is the “new” blood. The Indians qualified for state for the first time in 2017 and returned in 2018, capping it with a win over Xavier for third place in Class 2A. Marion was 16-0 in 2019 before falling to Dubuque Wahlert in penalty kicks in the substate finals. That was Kory Boebel’s first season in charge and he has another talented roster this spring that has a high ceiling if it can work through inexperience.

West Liberty — The Comets finished fourth in Class 1A in 2019 with a team that featured multiple key sophomores and freshmen. West Liberty has finished with a winning record seven of the last eight seasons and made four state tournament appearances, all since 2012.

Players to watch

Exoce Amisi, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Second team All-MVC Valley forward scored four goals in 2019.

Anders Bergstrom, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Second team All-MVC Valley midfielder was also honorable mention all-metro in 2019. He scored four goals and added four assists that year.

Bryce Boekholder, sr., Dyersville Beckman — Second team All-Wamac East honoree had four assists in 2019 and also scored two goals.

Jacob Cross, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — A four-sport athlete headed to play football at Iowa Western, he made 33 saves in 2019 and was named second team All-MVC Valley at goalkeeper.

Jahsiah Galvan, jr., West Liberty — Scored six goals as a freshman in 2019, second on a team that finished fourth in Class 1A. First-team all-state running back is a Division I football recruit.

Kolby Godbolt, sr., Iowa City West — As a sophomore, he led Iowa City Liberty with 17 goals and 13 assists and was named honorable mention all-state in Class 2A. Committed to Iowa Central.

Elijah Lingren, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — First team All-MVC Valley midfielder had four assists in 2019.

Andy Lu, sr., Iowa City West — Second-team All-MVC Valley defender in 2019.

Marko Migambi, sr., Iowa City West — Forward was third on the team with 10 goals in 2019. Also had five assists and was named second team All-MVC Valley.

Ombeni Mubake, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Forward named second team all-metro after scoring six goals with two assists in 2019.

Arnold Mutasingwa, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — First team all-metro and second team All-MVC Mississippi forward was third on the team with 10 goals in 2019.

Paul Mwilhare, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Forward tied for the team lead with eight goals in 2019 and was named second team all-metro

Ren Schroud, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — First team all-metro and second team All-MVC Mississippi midfielder was third on the team with 11 assists and also scored three goals in 2019.

Levi Murphy, sr., Marion — Second team All-Wamac East and honorable mention all-metro forward in 2019. Scored 11 goals, second on the team behind his brother, 2019 Metro and Wamac East Player of the Year Jaffer Murphy’s 46, and added four assists.

Yulong Shao, sr., Iowa City West — Second team All-MVC Valley defender had two assists in 2019.

Alec Wick, sr., Iowa City Regina — Led the 2019 1A state champion Regals with 31 goals and 11 assists and received first-team all-state honors. Future Iowa football walk-on was first team all-state for Class A state champion Regina last fall and The Gazette’s area offensive player of the year.

Gabe Yetley, sr., Solon — Second team All-Wamac East midfielder was second on the team with seven assists in 2019 and also scored five goals.