With two goals from the program’s stars, No. 6 seed Des Moines Hoover secured a 3-1 win over No. 3 Davenport North at the Class 3A Iowa boys state soccer tournament quarterfinals on June 1.
Isack Ramadhani and Danny Baquedano Andino each scored highlight-reel goals for the Huskies in the first 19 minutes of action to propel their team to Wednesday’s state semifinals. Baquedano Andino also added a penalty kick goal late in the game to solidify the victory. While Davenport North had sustained pressure all afternoon, especially early in the first half, Hoover made good on their Grade-A opportunities throughout the game.
It was a high-flying first half as Davenport North began generating pressure deep into Des Moines Hoover’s defensive half of the field. However, Ramadhani made a counterattack run down the left side of the field, shaking multiple defenders until he was just inside the box to fire a shot past the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
“I just saw free, open space,” Ramadhani said. “I don’t know what happened. I just went through. The shot, I did not think I was going to score, but I just shot it and I scored. It was beautiful.”
The Wildcats struck back just one minute later, as Fiston Asifiwe drew a foul in the box to set up a penalty kick for Javier Alvarado, who buried his attempt to tie the match at 1-1. While Davenport North continued to sustain possession for the first 20 minutes of action, Des Moines Hoover was routinely creating more dangerous chances. In the 19th minute, the Huskies were set up for a free kick from about 35 yards out, which Baquedano Andino sent over the outstretched hands of Davenport North’s goalkeeper and in to recapture a one-goal advantage.
“Just an unbelievable shot,” Des Moines Hoover head coach Jonathan Rubino said. “I don’t know how he dropped it in underneath the crossbar.
Des Moines Hoover carried the 2-1 lead into the second half. Davenport North pressed late, but heavy heat made every effort a major task. In the 77th minute, Des Moines Hoover broke away on a counterattack. Ramadhani was in the box when he was fouled by the goalkeeper, allowing Baquedano Andino to step up and bury a penalty kick and seal the victory.
While Ramadhani could have taken the penalty kick, he unselfishly passed the ball to Baquedano Andino to take the shot after a tiring run to draw the penalty. While Ramadhani is the star as Hoover’s leading goalscorer and assist leader, his unselfishness in the game and speed on the counterattack were major difference makers.
“We’ve always been a really dangerous counterattacking team,” Rubino said. “If you commit numbers forward, and I’ve said this all season to our boys, then something’s got to give. If you commit numbers forward, you’re going to create opportunities, but you’re also going to concede opportunities. We just try to make the most of those opportunities.”
This was the Wildcats’ first-ever state soccer tournament appearance, but their dream season came to an end at 12-4-4. Davenport North’s season-leading goal scorer, Ylli Ukaj, will return along with several other key players as they look to make it back to the state tournament next year.
As for the Huskies, they’ll await to play the winner of No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes vs. No. 7 Denison Schleswig in Wednesday’s semifinals.
This was just game one of four in Indianola for Class 3A on June 1. Check out recaps and results below for each game as they conclude.
No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes vs. No. 7 Denison-Schleswig
To be determined.
No. 4 Marion vs. No. 5 Norwalk
To be determined.
No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier vs. No. 8 Indianola
To be determined.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa boys state soccer Class 3A quarterfinal results: Hoover advances
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
