Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – As the leader of the most successful soccer program in the state over the last two decades Brad Stiles has become adept at avoiding the spotlight.

As successful as Stiles has been in 22 seasons at West High he has been nearly as skilled in deflecting any attention aimed at himself onto his players.

On Monday West High players certainly deserved plenty of attention.

Senior Michael Nelson scored three goals and sophomore Daniel Fuentes scored twice as sixth-ranked West High dispatched of Davenport North 6-0 in a Class 4A, Substate 5 semifinal on Monday at Barker Field.

But everyone, even Stiles knew on Monday this night was about him.

Stiles earned career victory 400 on Monday as West High improved to 14-2 with its 10^th consecutive win and advanced to Wednesday’s Substate 5 title game against No. 16 Dubuque Senior at 7 p.m. at Barker Field.

“It’s a legacy, it’s being part of history,” West High senior Corentin Charles said. “Brady is history, he’s definitely the greatest coach that Iowa has seen I believe and being part of that program, being part of the 400 wins and the seasons that have come before that is an honor.”

Stiles won the 300^th game of his career in 2017, a year that concluded with Stiles winning his eighth state title.

Before he earned career win number 300 Stiles didn’t let word out he was approaching a milestone.

On Monday everyone knew what was at stake.

“When I got to 300 I only told like two people and it made a lot of other people upset,” Stiles said. “This time we were going to go with opposite theory and tell everyone and I think (my assistant coach) was more nervous about today than I was because we literally have told everyone we knew and if something was going to go wrong, it was like ‘oh man’.

Nothing went wrong for Stiles and the Trojans on Monday.

Nelson scored the first of his three goals less than three minutes into the match and West High led 5-0 at the half on a night when Stiles made history.

“He broke it to us a little late,” Nelson said. “He told us after win 398 and the Kennedy win was a big win to get to399. It’s kind of nice how to it got moved back to a substate game and of course we had to get 400 and hopefully more.”

Stiles has done nothing but win since taking over at West High in 2000.

In 22 seasons leading the program Stiles has amassed a 400-74-3 record to go with 20 state tournament appearances and the eight titles.

“We picked a word consistent and we tried to go with it the best we can,” Stiles said. “As I’ve gotten older in my career and know what a bad day and a good day is I can still come here and try to be consistent.”

He hasn’t slowed down since.

The Trojans have won at least 18 games each of the past four seasons advancing to the state title game twice during that span.

“It’s pretty crazy when you think about it, 20 wins a season is crazy already and he has 400 so you have to enjoy it,” Charles said. “I have heard from so many alumni that after they graduate they miss Brad and they miss the program because this is a chance that very many people have. I am just trying to appreciate that.”

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