Marion’s dominant 4-game stretch fueled by opening loss to rival

The Marion boys’ soccer team has been on a tear of late.

Since a season-opening 1-0 loss to Cedar Rapids Xavier (4-0) on April 1, the Wolves have won four straight, outscoring opponents 27-1 — including a 3-0 win over Wamac foe Benton Community (1-3-2) Friday night at home.

“It’s nice to see the boys rebound from a really close loss against a rival school,” Marion Coach Kory Boebel said. “You could see it in practice the next day — the boys were hungry, ready to watch film and focused on getting better for our next game.

“I’m a strong believer that losses can sometimes be the best motivators and can help strengthen teams.”

After back-to-back 10-0 routs of South Tama and Vinton-Shellsburg, a 4-1 victory over a strong Williamsburg (4-1) team on April 15 was a sign the Wolves (4-1) were firing on all cylinders.

“It all comes down to when we connect as a team,” junior Bryker Langfald said. “All of our best chances come from when we start connecting everyone’s individual skills and putting that together. That’s when it all clicks.”

Sophomore Matthew Sloan put Marion on the board Friday, drilling a shot that skipped past the keeper with 10:35 remaining in the opening period.

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Just before half, Langfald, Marion’s leading scorer, gave the Wolves a 2-0 lead with a strong shot on goal.

“The last four games we’ve done a good job of playing as a team,” Langfald said. “We’re communicating much better. It’s been nothing but uphill. I think we have a real future with this team.”

Langfald scored again with 32:25 remaining in the match — his 11th goal of the season, good for second in Class 3A.

“It’s always nice having a strong No. 9 (Langfald) on the team,” Boebel said. “Ever since we switched formations and had two guys up top, it’s really helped open things up.”

As white-hot as Marion’s offense is, the defense has arguably been stronger, allowing just two goals through five games.

“Landon Tilkes has stepped up in the six (position), really winning every ball in front of that defense,” Boebel said. “Colby (Krupski), our goalkeeper, is a second-team all-state returning player. He’s really stepped up as a leader.”

Early signs point to the 2025 Wolves having a similar DNA to other successful Marion squads in recent years.

“This year we can attack on all angles,” Boebel said. “We play the through-balls, we can loft in crosses, play the long ball if we have to … I just think we can find ways to score if something’s not working.”

Across the corridor, few soccer programs can tout the consistent level of success the Wolves have had.

Dating back to 2017, Marion has reached the state tournament in six of the last seven seasons (excluding 2020’s COVID-cancelled year).

“It’s the culture here — at school, in the weight room, the classroom and as a program,” Boebel said. “I’ve got phenomenal assistant coaches and players who come here ready to work each and every day.”

“I think it always comes down to the principles we hold as a team,” Langfald said. “We’re very team-driven, and we are never just relying on one individual. There are always so many people who contribute to every single success we have.”

Next up for Marion is a visit to Center Point-Urbana (2-2-1) on April 22.