Breaking Down the Girls Regional Soccer Finals Featuring Your Prep Sports Area Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
After more than two months the girls soccer season comes down to one final win or go home Friday.
Eight state tournament spots are up for grabs in all three classes on Friday and by late evening the brackets for all three classes will be filled.
Before kickoff time comes across the state Your Prep Sports takes a closer look at the five regional finals that feature area teams.
Here is a quick look at those five regional finals and what you can expect to see on Friday.
Class 3A, Region 4
No. 13 West High (12-4) at No. 4 West Des Moines Dowling (14-3)
When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: West Des Moines Dowling
Top players: West High – Makenna Vonderhaar, Jr., 15 goals, 9 assists; Jada Dachtler, 6 goals, 3 assists. West Des Moines Dowling – Ella Anliker, Fr., 14 goals, 7 assists; Julia Moore, Soph., 14 goals, 3 assists.
About the Maroons: Among the most consistently strong programs in the state over the last decade West Des Moines Dowling is seeking its ninth trip to state in the past 10 seasons and fourth in a row.
The Maroons own one of the most impressive resumes among Class 3A teams this season.
West Des Moines Dowling owns six wins over ranked opponents including wins over top-five teams Ankeny Centennial, Pleasant Valley and 2A No. 5 Spencer.
The two in-state losses for the Maroons come against top-three teams in top-ranked West Des Moines Valley and third-ranked Waukee.
West Des Moines Dowling is led by a pair of first-year varsity players in freshman Ella Anliker (15 goals, 7 assists) and sophomore Julia Moore (14 goals, 4 assists).
About the Trojans: West High enters the regional final playing its best soccer of the season and seeking the first state meet appearance for the program since 2017.
After opening the season 4-4 with losses to four ranked teams the Trojans have rattled off eight consecutive wins to return to the regional final.
West High had penalty kick loss to eighth-ranked Ankeny and No. 12 Bettendorf during its 4-4 start along with setbacks to third-ranked Waukee and sixth-ranked Linn-Mar.
The Trojans have four wins over ranked programs and a victory over Moline (Illinois) which handed West Des Moines Dowling one of its three losses on the season.
West High is led by junior standout Makenna Vonderhaar (15 goals, 9 assists) but has a trip of talented players alongside her in juniors Jada Dachtler and Kenadee Showalter and sophomore Meena Tate.
That trio has combined for 16 goals and seven assists on the season.
What to watch: There may not be a team in the state that has made more improvement from the start of the season to Friday night’s regional final than West High which enters riding an eight-match winning streak.
The Trojans have outscored opponents 38-2 during their current eight-game stretch that includes a 2-0 win over ninth-ranked Des Moines Roosevelt in the regional semifinal.
Perhaps the biggest area of improvement for the Trojans has been defensively.
West High posted two shutouts in its first 10 matches but hasn’t allowing a goal in six consecutive wins.
The West High defense will be tested on Friday against a West Des Moines Dowling attack that has scored 30 goals during its six-match winning streak and averages 3.7 goals per match.
Class 2A, Region 8
Liberty High (11-6) at No. 6 North Scott (12-5)
When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: Eldridge
Top players: Liberty High – Grace Heddens, Jr., 17 goals, 4 assists; Elise Hermiston, 7 goals, 10 assists. North Scott – Kendall Knisley, Soph., 20 goals, 7 assists; Reese Hilsenbeck, Fr., 7 goals, 12 assists.
About the Lancers: Following a 1-3 start to the season North Scott has won 11 of its past 13 matches with the lone losses during that stretch coming to 3A second-ranked Pleasant Valley and 1A top-ranked Davenport Assumption.
After a win in its season opener the Lancers dropped three consecutive matches to 3A teams including a pair of losses to ranked opponents West High and Bettendorf.
Since that stretch North Scott has been among the most impressive teams in 2A with four wins over top-10 teams including a pair of shutouts of ninth-ranked Clear Creek Amana.
Sophomore Kendall Knisley leads the Lancers with 20 goals and seven assists while freshman Reese Hilsenbeck has seven goals and a team-high 12 assists.
Junior Riley Collins and freshman Delaney Fitzgibbon each have four goals.
About the Lightning: Steady progress over the past several seasons has put Liberty High in position to post the biggest win in program history on Friday.
The Lightning won six and seven matches in the first two seasons in program history before posting a program-best 11 wins this spring.
Liberty High advanced to the regional final for the first time in program history with a 2-0 win over Burlington Notre Dame last week.
The Lightning can take another huge step on Friday if they can pull the upset against perennial power North Scott.
Grace Heddens leads the team with 18 goals while seniors Bella Gasparoni and Elise Hermiston provide solid options in the midfield.
Gasparoni has eight goals and nine assists while Hermiston has scored seven goals to go with a team-leading 12 assists.
What to watch: Liberty High couldn’t have scripted a better start to its regional semifinal with Heddens finding the net in the 2nd minute as the Lightning bolted to earn early 2-0 halftime lead.
The Lightning don’t need to strike early again on Friday, although it would obviously be a big boost, instead an even start would be a big win for Liberty High.
Playing in the first regional final in program history on the road against a perennial power there are bound to be some nerves and extra excitement early for Liberty High.
The opening 20 minutes of the first half will be a key moment for both teams in what figures to be an emotional match.
Class 2A, Region 5
No. 9 Clear Creek Amana (15-2) at No. 7 Dallas Center-Grimes (12-5)
When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: Dallas Center-Grimes
Top players: Clear Creek Amana – Lauren Riggle, Sr., 26 goals, 10 assists; Ellen Austin, 10 goals, 19 assists. Dallas Center-Grimes – Avery Korsching, Jr., 16 goals, 6 assists; Olivia Cyr, Fr., 14 goals, 3 assists.
About the Mustangs: Dallas Center-Grimes is seeking a third consecutive state tournament appearance after falling in the 2A semifinals in 2019.
With 10 of its 17 matches coming against ranked opponents Dallas Center-Grimes has faced one of the most challenging schedules in Class 2A this season.
The Mustangs have losses to four ranked teams and Class 3A Urbandale, all coming by one goal.
Dallas Center Grimes has notched six wins over ranked teams after a 4-0 win over 12th ranked Pella in the regional semifinals.
Three different players have double digit goals for the Mustangs led by junior Avery Korsching with 16.
Freshmen have played a pivotal role in the Mustang attack with first year players Olivia Cyr, Ella Forsyth and Kylie Knief combining for 30 goals and 17 assists.
About the Clippers: Clear Creek Amana has already enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history posting its highest win total since going 16-2 in 2015.
The Clippers won 12 in a row to open the season and both losses have come at the hands of sixth-ranked North Scott.
Clear Creek Amana had 15 days off in between a 4-1 win over 1A No. 15 Solon in the regular season finale and its postseason opener but kicked the rust off in a hurry with six first-half goals in an 8-0 regional semifinal win over Fairfield.
The offense runs through the dynamic duo of Lauren Riggle and Ellen Austin who have combined for 36 goals and 29 assists this season but balance has developed alongside the two senior stalwarts.
Freshman Halle Bormann has eight goals and 10 assists while sophomore Leah Evans and senior Eliza Evans each have seven goals.
What to watch: Clear Creek Amana is seeking to get over the regional final hump after falling in the final match before the state tournament twice in the past four seasons.
After a long road trip and playing in front of an opposing crowd a strong start would be a big boost for the visiting Clippers as they attempt to secure their first trip to the state tournament.
Look for Clear Creek Amana to attempt to put the pressure on the home team early on Friday as it attempts to play spoiler on the road.
Class 1A, Region 7
Regina (9-7) at No. 6 Dubuque Wahlert (10-6)
When: Friday at 5 p.m.
Where: Dubuque Wahlert
Top players: Regina – Grace Gaarde, Soph., 29 goals, 5 assists; Annie Gahan, Sr., 11 goals, 6 assists. Dubuque Wahlert – Maya Wachter, Sr., 18 goals, 4 assists; Emma Donovan, 10 goals, 4 assists.
About the Golden Eagles: Dubuque Wahlert was among the most success programs in the state for a stretch reaching the state tournament nine consecutive times from 1999 to 2007 while earning a pair of state titles.
The Golden Eagles haven’t been back to state since 2011 but have a squad capable of snapping that dry stretch this season.
Dubuque Wahlert won 12 matches in 2019, its highest total since 2011 and has picked up where it left off this season with double digit wins again.
All six losses for Dubuque Wahlert have come to ranked teams or larger class competition with their last four losses all coming to Class 3A teams.
Dubuque Wahlert has responded by posting back-to-back 10-0 wins over Maquoketa and Anamosa in postseason play.
Four different players have scored at least seven goals for the Golden Eagles led by senior Maya Wachter with 18 goals while sophomore Emma Donovan has 10.
Ivy Dearstone and Gabby Moran each have seven goals and Moran has a team-high 19 assists.
About the Regals: Regina had a string of seven consecutive state tournament appearances snapped in 2019 but will attempt to start a new streak on Friday.
The Regals returned to the regional title game by dominating a pair of postseason opponents, outscoring West Branch and Bellevue Marquette by a combined 10-0 margin to earn an opportunity to play for a spot at state.
Regina entered postseason play 7-7 with four losses to ranked opponents and two more setbacks to Class 3A competition before posting back-to-back resounding wins in regional play.
Sophomore Grace Gaarde has been a dynamic goal scorer for the Regals leading the team with 29 goals while senior Annie Gahan has provided a strong compliment to Gaarde up top with 11 goals and six assists.
Senior Emma Sueppel has five goals and six assists and freshman Alli Clark has three goals.
What to watch: Don’t be fooled by the records for either team neither side plays a traditional 1A schedule.
Dubuque Wahlert has played the equivalent of a 3A schedule while competing in the Mississippi Valley Conference while Regina annual challenges itself with a schedule loaded with larger schools and ranked opponents.
For Regina to pull the upset on Friday the Regals will likely need to get offensive production from another player alongside Gaarde who will no doubt be the focus of the Dubuque Wahlert defense.
Class 1A, Region 8
No. 15 Solon (14-5) at No. 1 Davenport Assumption (13-5)
When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: Davenport Assumption
Top players: Solon – Morgan Link, Soph., 25 goals, 5 assists; Stella Mesch, Sr., 12 goals, 3 assists. Davenport Assumption – Sam Scodeller, Sr., 23 goals, 10 assists; Jade Jackson, 23 goals, 11 assists.
About the Knights: The four-time defending state champion, Davenport Assumption hasn’t taken any sort of a step back in 2021 after the 2020 season was cancelled.
The Knights have a resume as impressive as any team in the state regardless of class.
Davenport Assumption has outscored 85-16 on the season, including a 24-0 scoring margin in two regional wins and has posted shutouts in 12 of 13 wins this season.
The five losses for the Knights have come to 3A second-ranked Pleasant Valley, 3A sixth-ranked Linn-Mar, 3A fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, 2A fifth-ranked Spencer and 3A No. 12 Bettendorf.
Senior Sam Scodeller and junior Jade Jackson each have 23 goals for the Knights this season while combining for 21 assists.
Three other players have at least eight goals for Assumption led by senior Lexi Moore with nine.
About the Spartans: Solon has been among the most improved teams in the state after the cancellation of the 2020 season surpassing the win total of the 2019 and 2018 seasons combined.
With 14 Solon has matched its highest win total since 2014 and is seeking its first state tournament trip since 2014.
Solon has been at its best late in the season winning nine of its final 10 matches including four in a row.
That stretch features back-to-back postseason shutouts of Central Lee and Mid-Prairie and the Spartans have outscored opponents 22-1 during their current winning streak.
Offensive balance has been part of the key during the Spartans’ late-season surge.
Sophomore Morgan Link has a team-high 25 goals and five assists but Solon has gotten a boost offensively from senior Stella Mesch (12 goals) and freshman Gabby Knipper who has seven goals and has scored in three of the last four matches.
What to watch: Assumption is among the top programs in the state and is seeking a state-record tying 13th consecutive state meet appearance and ninth state title.
Even with the loss of last season Assumption still has some postseason experience on its roster, something Solon lacks making the opening minutes of Friday’s match extremely important.
Solon needs to keep the Knights from jumping out to an early lead while giving itself a chance to push forward offensively.
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