A pair of teams who appeared in the 2014 Class 2A boys State Soccer Tournament will meet for the first time in the quarterfinals of the 2015 tourney.
Central Clinton-DeWitt (17-1) is the number four seed and will serve as the opponent for fifth-seeded Perry (16-3), who finished as the state runner-up last season. Perry defeated Clear Creek-Amana, 2-1, and Waverly-Shell Rock, 2-1 (2OT) in the semis before falling to Norwalk, 1-0, in the title game. CC-D had been bumped by W-SR, 4-3 (2OT/PK) in the quarterfinals.
The Sabers and Bluejays will do battle at at 2:45 p.m. Thursday on Field 7 at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. The victor will meet the winner of top-seeded Bishop Heelan (15-1) and an explosive eighth-seed in South Tama (15-4) on Field 9 in the semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Friday.
The motto Perry — and, it must be assumed, most teams — have adopted is “Win one, play three” in reference to soccer holding a consolation game, meaning of which is that any team with an opening round win would then play Friday and Saturday, with the final game either for third place or a state championship.
The 2A consolation game is on Field 6 at 1:40 p.m. with Perry hoping to visit Field 9 at 2:30 p.m. for the second consecutive season.
“Right now we are focused on getting that first win, but yes, the ultimate goal is to play at 2:30 (Saturday) again and this time have a different result,” Perry head coach Gary Overla said. “We will worry about that when it happens — we have plenty to deal with in Central Clinton.”
The Sabers mirror the Bluejays in that neither team has lost to a 2A opponent, with the lone CC-D setback a 3-2 loss to Dyersville Beckman (15-0) the top-seed in 1A and returning fourth-place squad from 2014.
CC-D has scored 68 goals in 18 games (3.78 goals per game) while allowing 15 goals (.833 goals against average) in regulation. With 61 assists, fully 90 percent of Saber goals have been off passes.
In contrast, Perry, which has scored 50 goals in 19 games (2.63 gpg) has but 31 assists (62 percent). The Bluejays have yielded just five goals (.263 gaa) in regulation, a sparkling statistic that has doubtless drawn the attention of the Sabers.
“I don’t know how impressed they will be by that,” Overla said of Perry’s reputation. “They are extremely aggressive and have three great scorers, including one of the top three in 2A.”
Overla was referencing senior Ferre Devos, whose 30 goals are tied for third in 2A and who, with 10 assists, has 70 points (a player is awarded two points per goal, one per assist) which is fourth-best in 2A.
“He (Devos) is a dynamic player we will have to try and limit, but he is not their only weapon,” Overla noted. “All the teams at state are good teams and complete teams, no one down there is a one-guy team.”
Sophomore Jacob Van Leare has 12 goals and 16 assists and junior Nicholas Costello 12 goals and five assists, with junior Keegan Lass adding five goals and three assists and senior John Stammeyer three goals and 15 assists.
Senior Justin Schwennen stands between the pipes for the Sabers. He has eight shutouts this year.
“They have been here twice just like us and think they deserve to be there, just like we do,” Overla. “We will have to play our best game of the year. I know it sounds simple, but it really is: If we do not play to the top of our level all over the field we will not win. If we do, I have to say I like our chances.”
With all of the attention on the defense and on Perry senior goalie Jorge Soto — who has 11 clean sheets (no goals allowed) this season — the Bluejay offense has been largely overlooked.
“I hope it stays that way,” Overla smiled. “You have to play great defense first, and we do, but anyone who thinks we don’t have a potent offense has not been paying attention.”
Sophomore Jesus Rodriguez (19 goals, five assists) leads the way, with Ivan Garcia (9-8) and freshman German Alvarenga (8-3) also key parts. Sophomore Alvaro Soto (3-4) and junior Javier Miranda (3-0) are also not to be overlooked when Perry has possession.
“Some of our numbers on offense could be better, but I do not believe in beating someone 10-0,” Overla said. “When we have been up three or four goals we put other guys out on the field and choose not to run it up. Those other players need game time experience, too, and what is the point of keeping the starters out there the whole time? To win 8-0, 9-0? That is not how we play in Perry.”
Thursday’s match-up appears to be a classic battle, between a deadly offense and a resolute defense. In many such meetings those units tend to offset each other, with the outcome decided by the so-called “weaker” defense or “less potent” offense.
“How well-rounded are you? How complete is your team?” Overla mused. “Those are the questions that get answered at the state tournament, because everyone playing there is extremely good. The margin between teams at state tends to be very small, and that is where experience and mental toughness can make the difference: Who will make the big play when it is called for?”
Beginning at 2:45 p.m Thursday, the Bluejays and Sabers will begin to discover those answers.
