~by Noah Rohlfing
The rise of the No. 8 Greene County boys’ soccer team from non-existent to the Class 1A boys state tournament in two years is complete.
The Rams won a high-scoring game Saturday afternoon, beating AHSTW (Avoca) 5-2 to make the state tournament, led by a hat-trick from Junior Gutierrez.
After a four-goal first half saw the game tied at 2-2, with goals from forward Luis Velazco and Gutierrez pacing the Rams, Greene County took control in the second half. Two more goals from Gutierrez put the junior attacking midfielder up to 55 total this season and put the Rams up 4-2. Gutierrez’s tally is the highest in Iowa boys’ soccer.
A final nail was put in the coffin of AHSTW by senior striker Isaiah Losee with a goal late in the game, pushing the score to 5-2 and sealing a quarterfinal spot for the Rams.
The state tournament will be held at the James Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.
The Rams, seeded fifth, will face fourth seed Iowa City Regina on Thursday at 12:05 pm for a chance to make the semifinals.
Other teams in the 1A state tournament are North Polk (14-3), Columbus Catholic of Waterloo (18-2), Sioux Center (13-4), Iowa Mennonite of Kalona (12-4), Center Point-Urbana (12-8), and West Liberty (10-7).
