Upset for Comets

DES MOINES - This was the first West Liberty boys' soccer team to make the state tournament. It liked it so much it decided to stay another couple of days.

West Liberty fans rush the field to celebrate with the team after their 1-0 win over Solon in the Class 1A quarterfinal game at the state soccer tournament on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

The #6 Comets upset #3 Solon 1-0 in a 1A state quarterfinal Thursday in clash of styles. Solon relied on size and speed to force the ball down the field, whereas West Liberty used fancy footwork and quick passing to attack.

Senior forward Dalvi Acevedo scored the lone goal 10 minutes into the game. A low, driven cross from midfielder Raudel Fierro skipped on the wet grass over a Solon defender's foot and right to an unmarked Acevedo on the backside for the one touch finish.

“It feels amazing,” Acevedo said. “It's my senior year; it's our first year at state. It's crazy.”

In the second half, Solon's relentless offense forced West Liberty into survival defense, retreating 10 men behind the ball. They came close to equalizing with four minutes left, but the deflected shot struck the far post.

“I was really scared because I didn't know if it was going in or not,” Alexis Sagastume, West Liberty goal keeper, said. “I got my shin on it. It felt great once I heard that thud on the bar.”

West Liberty held on with everything they had. At the final whistle, the Comets celebrated like they had won the state final. The stands and bench cleared as the fans surrounded the dog-piling players.

West Liberty will play seventh seed Nevada, who upset undefeated Beckman, Dyersville 1-0. The game is at noon Friday in Des Moines.