Humboldt ends Rams’ postseason run, 2-1

By TYLER ANDERSON tanderson@iowainformation.com

Despite the steep upward climb to get to the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Class 2A State Soccer Tournament, the Greene County High School boys’ soccer team was ready for the challenge. The Rams needed to control what they can control, and take things one match at a time.

The No. 9-ranked Humboldt Wildcats had aspirations of their own, and collided with the Rams’ own plan to return to the promised land.

In a Class 2A-Substate 7 semifinal bout, which took place this past Monday at the Humboldt Soccer Field, the Rams’ ambitions were dashed in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss.

The Rams saw their fantastic season close with an 11-3 overall record. All three of their setbacks were determined by one goal. 

The Wildcats improved to 13-1 and advanced to the Class 2A-Substate 7 finals. There, Humboldt challenged Perry this past Wednesday at Dewey Field in Perry – a match that would determine a IHSAA Class 2A State Tournament berth.

Initially set for 6 p.m., the start time was delayed to 6:34 p.m.. This was due to the officials arriving late. 

For the first 40 minutes, the match was deadlocked at a scoreless tie. Returning from intermission, the Wildcats jumped out in front of the visiting side, scoring two goals within the span of 12 minutes.

Senior striker Gesser Gutierres scored the Rams’ lone goal in the second half, and senior Nathan Behne supplied the assist. The breakthrough came in with 10:17 left in the match.

The score was Gutierres’ 49th goal of the spring campaign, the second most in the entire state of Iowa. It was Gutierres’ 118th career goal.

Behne’s assist was his 29th of the season, which is good for third best in all classifications.

The Rams attempted to knock in an equalizer before time expired, but Humboldt did just enough to prevent the match from moving into extra time.

Greene County had a vast multitude of scoring opportunities, which included nine in the first half and 15 overall. Humboldt turned the Rams away each time, which included a penalty kick – the first time that the Rams failed to convert a PK throughout the entire season.

Senior goalkeeper Gabe Ebersole brought in two saves.

With the season ending loss, the Rams saw a star studded senior class – made up of Gutierres, Behne, Ebersole, Jack Hansen, Cody Allen, Landon Carstens, Manuel Flores, Kolby Angell, Zeke Binkley and Brynley Ruzicka – walk off of the pitch in a Rams’ kit for the final time. Going forward, the red and black will seek to build back up around the likes of juniors Marcus Ball and Jacob Harmeyer, and sophomores Carter Hinote, Teagan Chisholm, Fredy Aguilar and Edier Flores.