In a game with limited chances, it always felt like one moment would decide it.
The moment ultimately went to Zachary Schrader and the Gilbert Tigers.
In the 78th minute of the Class 2A Iowa boys state soccer championship game between No. 1 Gilbert and No. 3 Des Moines Christian, things were tied at 0-0. Neither team had conceded an inch in what was a tight game between two quality sides.
When a loose ball fell at the feet of Schrader just a touch outside of the box, he caught all of it on his shot to send it past the goalkeeper to win 1-0 over the Lions and secure a state championship.
“We were tired the whole game, but we played strong,” Schrader said. “We bucked through it and when my time came, I had to take it.”
Aside from Schrader’s game-clinching goal, the Tiger defense shined by limiting opportunities for Des Moines Christian, particularly in the second half. Even when balls got to the goal, keeper Tyler Jerkins was there to stop the three Lions’ shots on the day.
On the losing end of the game was Des Moines Christian, which was just in its second trip to the state title game and fifth state tournament appearance ever. In his second year at the helm, coach Brian Singer knew competing against a perennial powerhouse like Gilbert would be a tough battle. Even so, the Lions fought Gilbert all the way to the final whistle.
While one goal decided the match, the Lions were competitive for all 80 minutes of action. With three shots on goal in the second half, Des Moines Christian created several dangerous opportunities late and kept Gilbert’s chances to a minimum until Schrader’s magical moment.
It was heartbreak for the Lions, who were close to claiming the program’s first boys soccer state title. Still, it’s still hard not to be thrilled about the future. With just three seniors on the roster, much of this year’s production is coming back, with star freshman Jase Price (22 goals) and some other promising players rising up from the middle school ranks, Springer is excited for what’s to come after his second year leading the Lions.
“I can tell you right now that 2A’s got to be on the lookout for Des Moines Christian,” Springer said. “We’ve got the players to compete and we’re adding more to our arsenal. We’re going to be dangerous for the foreseeable future.”
By game’s end, however, the Tigers were state champions for the second straight season and for the third time in four years. In its 10th state tournament appearance, Gilbert has become a constant contender in Class 2A, with big expectations on its shoulders at the start of each season. Whether it was drawing the No. 1 seed or trying to follow in the footsteps of teams of the program’s past, the 2026 Tigers had a higher standard to clear than any that came before them.
Even so, the pressure was highest within the locker room. Gilbert head coach B.J Jordison said the team all had the same goal in mind to win a state title before the year began. Just a couple months later, they made that a reality.
“All the pressure was on them throughout the year,” Jordison said. “They showed up when they needed to.”
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: Gilbert boys soccer tops DM Christian to win 3rd state title in 4 years
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Eli McKown, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
