—Photo by Phil Monson/Humboldt Indenpendent Members of the Humboldt boys soccer team, front row, left to right,: Denis Martinez, Edvin Antonio Xum Vicario, Joseph Gonzalez, Biruk Zemene, Blake Woolery, Sylvestre Antonio, Reyes Falcon and Braiden Swanson. Second row: Shawn Hilton, Dylan Frideres, Sterling Scranton, Trever Beach, Karson Rubel, Johnathan Gasca, Gilbert Garcia, Jayden Ramirez and Cody Tuttle. Third row: assistant coach Tony Beach, Collin Payer, Henrik Gustafson, Jacob Girres, Miguel Regelado, Carter Westre, Cristhian Ramirez, Zane McIntire, Obed Antonio, Spencer Coleman and Caden Wilson Back row: Rasmus Meier, Zack Theesfeld, Valley Davis, Jarin Kroeger, Nolan Gustafson, Will Orness, Gaige Allen, Fin Mason, Christopher Karl, head coach Joe Hadar and assistant coach Gustavo Leal.

For the Humboldt soccer team it isn’t just about getting to the state tournament it’s about getting farther at the state tournament.

The fifth ranked Wildcats (16-1 overall) will be playing in their second state soccer tournament when they begin play on Tuesday.

Humboldt will face fifth-ranked Norwalk (9-7) At Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.

The Wildcats, who are 48-5 the past three seasons, have won nine straight matches and their only loss on the season is to fourth-ranked (Class 2A) and state qualifier Webster City.

“This team is special,” said senior Trever Beach. “We’re all close like a family.

“When everyone on the team has the same drive to win it’s hard to be stopped .”

For the senior class from Humboldt, including soccer, football and basketball they have made five of the last six state tournaments. Two in football and two in soccer.

The Wildcats have unfinished business in Des Moines, as their only lost last season came in the quarterfinals to Lewis Central in Class 2A.

“Heading back to state has always been the goal since last year.” Beach said. “But it’s more than just making it to state rather trying to win a few games at state.

“It means a lot to this team to go back because there was some doubt with us moving up a class, and losing some players.”

Junior Cristhian Ramirez leads the Wildcats in scoring with 23 goals. Senior Will Orness is next in line with 16 followed by junior Nolan Gustafson and Beach with eight each.

Ramirez has 62 career goals, while Beach now has 24.

Ramirez (15), Beach (13) and sophomore Carter Westre (12) are the Wildcat assist leaders.

Freshman Carson Rubel has 81 saves and has allowed only 12 goals for an 87 percent stoppage rate.

“I think it is super cool that we’re going back to state,” Orness said. “We’ve put in a lot of work and it feels good that it paid off.

“This team is special because of the great connection we all have.”