Photo by Troy Banning, special to The Messenger: Webster City head coach Craig Signorin hugs senior co-captain Francisco Ramirez-Carmona on Wednesday at the state soccer tournament.

DES MOINES — What a run.

The season didn’t end the way the Webster City boys soccer team wanted it to, but they forever etched their names into the school’s record books.

The No. 7 Lynx (17-1 overall) lost to top-ranked Gilbert, 1-0, in a Class 2A state semifinal on Wednesday night inside Mediacom Stadium.

The Tigers (17-0-1) scored the match’s lone goal on a corner kick, as Preston Stensland found the net with 1:32 left in the first half.

“I think part of what made this team so special was that fact that losing back to back quarterfinal appearances, just made them want to come back stronger,” said WCHS head coach Craig Signorin. “We knew early on how strong we looked. We’ve become really close, every player…even with my family. My kids look up to them and they go out of their way to play with them.

“That camaraderie and family mentality made us more complete as a team. It also stems from friends and family outside of the program that graciously help out.”

The Tigers did just enough and held the Lynx at bay the rest of the way through the end of regulation play.

“We lacked energy or got unlucky for about 30 seconds and let one get away. A couple kids were banged up and still went out and left it all on the field,” Signorin said. “I’ve never been more proud than the effort and heart that was displayed in our final two games. Gilbert is just at the next level we strive to get to. They’re well coached, have a large talent pool to select from, and somewhat greater opportunities to play year-round.

“It’s quite a different dynamic, but I would choose my boys over anyone.”

Webster City picked up its first quarterfinal win in program history when they downed Sioux Center in penalty kicks earlier this week.

Senior Eddy Fuentes-Cruz finished his remarkable career with 108 career goals, becoming only the fourth player in Iowa history to eclipse the century mark.

It was the last time in a Lynx uniform for Fuentes Cruz and classmates Henry Arriaga, Fernando Rubi Antunez, Francisco Ramirez-Carmona, and Conner Peck.

“Henry was tiny but mighty on our back line with just having played for us one year,” Signorin said. “Fernando loved his discipline and was just a great kid.

“Eddy, I mean what else is there to say about him. Peck, I will miss his intensity. JR, the kid with the biggest heart. I’m so proud of them and I’m going to miss them all very much.”

This senior group has been a part of three state tournaments and the school’s first ever state win. The squad scored 280 goals in their four years.

“The last three years have been incredibly special, with this season finally surpassing the huge quarterfinal mountain that we finally climbed and conquered,” Signorin said. “We will sit back and reflect. Enjoy summer, our families and friends.

“It starts with their effort — that’s something you can’t coach. I just do my best to guide them to be better young men, and give them the coaching and tools to make us a quality program.”

Signorin’s group has also left their mark in the Webster City hallways.

“I can’t thank my AD, Jess Howard enough,” Signorin said. “We have turned her into a soccer fan and that makes me smile.

“We had so many fans in the stands during our substate games and our state semifinal match. Having the crowd on your side makes a big difference.”