No trip up this time for Dyersville Beckman

DES MOINES - They had to start wondering at least a little bit. Whether they admit it or not.Dyersville Beckman was top-seeded and unbeaten until it got to the state soccer tournament last year. Nevada shocked the Blazers in a quarterfinal, 1-0.Here they were again Thursday afternoon scoreless late in the first half against another eight seed from Central Iowa, this time Des Moines Christian."Last year, we didn't know what to expect," said Beckman's Travis Gudenkauf after what turned out to be a 3-0 win at rainy Cownie Park. "But we expected to win this game. I mean, we all were a little nervous, but this is what we expected."Adam Noethe scored with 2:49 to go in the opening half after a goalie gaffe, a relaxation goal that helped spur a dominant second-half performance. Gudenkauf had goals five minutes apart in the final 40 minutes, and Beckman (16-0-1) could officially celebrate its first state soccer tourney victory."Last year was an upset, and we didn't know how to deal with it after we lost," Noethe said. "We'd never had that feeling before. We played well today. Our passing was good. We just knew what we needed to do."Beckman ironically draws Nevada (13-4) in a noon semifinal Friday afternoon."A lot better feeling," said Beckman coach Mirek Laskowski, who was reprimanded by the IHSAA for his public comments about the officiating following last year's stunning loss. "Totally different game and totally different team right now. We played well. Even after 40 year, you're learning ... Now we know how to manage the whole game, the atmosphere."Noethe's goal came after Des Moines Christian keeper Dillon Bruxvoort went high for a loose ball but let it go between his hands. The Lions (9-10) had very little ball possession and few offensive chances in a game Beckman dominated."We've been playing at peace for awhile here," Noethe said. "After last year ... we know this is our last year, and we really need to come through together as a team."