Photo by David Borer

For the third straight season, the Webster City boys soccer team will play in the state tournament.

The seventh-ranked Lynx (16-0 overall) completed an unbeaten run to the Class 2A tournament with a 4-0 win over Aplington-Parkersburg (11-4-1).

Eddy Fuentes-Cruz had two goals, including four shots on goal. David Villelas also had a goal as did Conner Peck, who also had an assist.

“It is such an honor to be awarded to play in the state tournament,” said Webster City head coach Craig Signorin. “It’s remarkable to think that we have had this opportunity for 3 years in a row now. I would hope we understand how much the level of play increases when we get to this point.

“That’s obviously a mountain we haven’t climbed yet. I’m still learning and so are the boys. I hope this is the year.”

Fuentes-Cruz now has 107 career goals in his career.

In the three-year span of state tournament appearances, the Lynx have scored 246 goals.

“We have leaders and incredible players at all three levels,” Signorin said. “JR” Francisco on our back line is a monster, his motor never stops and the kid has a heart of gold. Conner Peck, the orchestrator, gives us our energy, we look to him.

“Then we have Eddy, I mean what else is there to say about him. I’ve grown close to each of them over the years and in all reality, how blessed am I to have the opportunity to coach these three.”

Signorin loves that his team understands the goal and what it takes as a team to accomplish their state berth.

“We have a great mix of young and old surrounding them. JRs brother Abisai is just as talented,” Signorin said. “We’ve had a freshman in Grayson (Henderson) and new senior Henry (Arriaga) playing the majority of the minutes on the back line. Dany (Morales) who has only seen most of his varsity time this year and is growing as a player immensely only being a sophomore.

David (Villelas), sophomore, is such a special player that can play anywhere. Fernando (Rubi Antunez) and Wilmer (Padilla Chavez) on the outside wings along with Aaron (Mendoza). Israel (Torres) reminds me of Eddy at his age, he’s still learning and growing. And Edwin (Ramos Nolasco) is incredible in goal when his mind is in the right space. He keeps us in games when he’s switched on and that’s incredibly important.”

The Lynx will open quarterfinal play on Monday as they travel to Sioux Center. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“I’m disappointed the state chose to give a home field advantage to the higher seed and make us travel three hours to play,” Signorin said. “It’s simply not going to have the same atmosphere as Cownie with all 32 teams and fans in one spot.

“That makes going to compete and coming away victorious to get to Des Moines for the semifinal that much harder and more important. We won’t have much support and to me that’s unfair to my boys.”

Class 2A semifinals will be on Wednesday at Medicacom Stadium at either 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. The finals will be Friday at 2:30 p.m.