Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Gada Ambo knew his prep soccer career would come to an end sometime at the state tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.

As he has proved in two state tournament matches Ambo was intent on extending his days in a West High uniform as long as possible.

“I’m just super motivated to keep playing,” Ambo said. “I want to win, that’s all it is.”

Prior to this season previous trips to Cownie Soccer Complex hadn’t left a lot of lasting memories for Ambo.

The Trojans were 1-3 in state tournament matches in which Ambo played, falling in the 3A quarterfinals in 2016 and finishing fourth last season.

Ambo spent his sophomore season playing for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in Kansas City High as West High won its state record ninth title in 2017.

Missing the 2017 title and early exits in his other two state tournament appearances has the dynamic Ambo on a mission in his final shot at a state title.

“It’s my senior season, I want to win this,” Ambo said. “My sophomore year I wasn’t here when they won it so I’m the only one who hasn’t won it yet and I want to win it.”

So far so good for Ambo and the Trojans.

The senior forward has been impressive while leading second-ranked West High (18-1) into the Class 3A championship match where it will face No. 1 Waukee (21-0) on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Ambo has scored two goals in three consecutive postseason matches and has seven goals in four

postseason wins.

“I think he’s just in his moment,” West High coach Brad Stiles said. “I hope it continues.”

Ambo scored twice in a 4-2 substate final win over Cedar Rapids Jefferson and didn’t let up last week on the state’s biggest stage.

The senior scored twice in a 2-1 win over Ankeny in the 3A quarterfinals and two more goals in a 3-1 semifinal win over Cedar Rapids Washington on Saturday.

While Ambo has put on an offensive exhibition at state it has been everything else the senior has done that has caught the attention of Stiles.

“Today was the first day that he defensively ran somebody down from like 45 yards and that is serious progress,” Stiles said following the win over Cedar Rapids Washington. “Some players that are as talented as Gada they are like ‘I’ll just score three and my team can win 3-2 and I won’t have to play any defense’. For him to go do that without me screaming at him is a huge benefit.”

Ambo gave West High a 1-0 halftime lead against the Warriors with a free kick from near midfield.

His most impressive goal of the state tournament came less than four minutes after halftime when he sprinted into the box and beat the keeper with a slick shot into the upper corner of the goal.

“Once I had the touch I knew I had the space and time I just had to put it in,” Ambo said. “It was just taking my time and putting it home.”

West High will be making its state-leading 13th state title game appearance on Tuesday but it will be the first for Ambo who hopes to make it memorable.

“I just want to win a championship,” Ambo said. “That’s what I came here to do this week.”

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