Johnston rallies to stun Iowa City West in 2OT for Class 4A boys’ state soccer championship

DES MOINES — The scene on the field was chaotic. Johnston students rushing to celebrate with their victorious boys’ soccer team. The girls’ soccer team, draped in new, pink championship T-shirts, continuing their celebration.

For Johnston, the memories made Saturday night under the lights at Cownie Soccer Park will be cherished for lifetimes.

For Iowa City West, heartbreak will serve as motivation for the next year.

Johnston freshman Cael Leach picked the best time for his first goal of the season, heading in a double-overtime golden goal for a 3-2 win over sixth-ranked Iowa City West in the state’s first Class 4A final. It completed a comeback from a 2-0 second-half deficit and delivered the third-ranked Dragons (18-3) their first boys’ state soccer championship.

“I’ve been a starter all season, but I haven’t gotten chances,” Leach said. “It’s insane to get one in the final game.”

The Dragons forced overtime with just 1:37 remaining. A free kick from midfield eventually bounced to Mateo Munguia, who put in an overhead kick to tie the score. Carlos Martinez scored Johnston’s opener, on a 60th-minute scramble in the box.

“Johnston focuses on a long kick and creating chaos in the box,” West Coach Brad Stiles said. “When it comes down to the end of the game, chaos is your friend sometimes.”

Johnston’s Amer Oric was named captain of the all-tournament team and was joined on the team by Munguia, Grant Strickler and goalkeeper Will Safris. West was represented by seniors Michael Nelson, Corentin Charles and Ruichar Medina.

At halftime of a scoreless game, Stiles implored Nelson to call for the ball. The striker responded, latching onto a through ball for the opening goal just 18 seconds into the half and scoring again with 26:59 left to put the nine-time champions ahead 2-0.

But after falling in last year’s Class 3A quarterfinals as the second-ranked team with its top player out due to a red card, Johnston refused to give up on this opportunity. Even after three second-half yellow cards.

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“We had so many people come and talk to us about how much this means for Johnston soccer,” Leach said. “It was just like, we have to win this game. This is the biggest game we’ve ever played.”

Johnston’s girls topped West Des Moines Valley, 2-1 (3-2 PK), in the Class 3A final earlier Saturday.

West continued getting contributions from young reserves Saturday as it dealt with a pair of back-line injuries. The Trojans played well enough to win, but couldn’t hang on.

“It’s definitely a tough lesson,” Stiles said. “I told them they earned the right to let it out here. But I think this is the type of group that will find some motivation going forward to put the program right back where we need to be.”

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