Rams overpower Central Iowa United, Boone in opening stretch

By TYLER ANDERSON tanderson@iowainformation.com

As the Greene County High School boys’ soccer team begins their latest spring campaign, expectations are sky high. Spearheaded by a group of seniors who have been together since first grade, paired with one of Iowa’s most exciting footballers, the Rams are bound and determined to run it back to the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Class 2A State Soccer Tournament. 

So far, it’s been one heck of a start.

In their first two matches of the 2024 season, the Rams have dominated their opposition – beginning with a 7-2 triumph over Central Iowa United in a Heart of Iowa Activities Conference match held last Thursday and capped with an 11-1 drubbing of Boone in a nonleague fixture this past Monday. Both matches were held at Linduska Field in Jefferson.

Within a two-match stretch, senior forward Gesser Gutierres has produced 14 goals – a state best, according to Bound. Senior Nathan Behne is also amongst the best within Iowa, dishing up six assists against both the Trojans and Toreadors.   

Greene County will look to get their positive momentum rolling, making a quick trip west to take on Carroll in a nonconference match set for 7:15 p.m. tonight at Carroll Athletic Field. The Tigers (1-1, 0-1 Raccoon River Conference) fell to Bondurant-Farrar via a 4-0 decision this past Monday in Carroll.

Next Monday, the Rams will return home to face Panorama at 6 p.m. at Linduska Field in Jefferson. Next Tuesday, the red and black side will bring in Kuemper Catholic for a nonconference clash.

A recap from all three matches will be posted in an upcoming edition of the Jefferson Herald.

Greene County 7, Central Iowa United 2: Starting their season in new, yet familiar surroundings, the Rams raced past the Trojans with a five-goal decision in a Heart of Iowa Activities Conference fixture held last Thursday at Linduska Field in Jefferson.

Gutierres blasted the doors off of Central Iowa United in the first half, scoring five goals. Along with a second half goal from Nathan Behne, Gutierres finished off the Trojans with a penalty kick.

“Overall, it was a solid ‘first match of the season’ outcome,” said Carl Behne, GCHS boys’ soccer coach. “We have some touches and some back line communication to clean up, but I was proud of the effort and production of the guys. It was a great night of Ram soccer all around.”

Thanks to their star striker, the Rams held a 5-2 lead at intermission. Greene County then held the Trojans scoreless while recording two more goals to reel in their first triumph of the spring.

Along with his one goal, Nathan Behne contributed with three assists, followed by one assist each from senior Jack Hansen and sophomore Fredy Aguilar. Senior Gabe Ebersole collected seven saves and an assist for the winning side.

The GCHS junior varsity also came up with a big win, defeating the Trojans by a final score of 4-0.

Greene County 11, Boone 1: In a nonconference contest between the Rams and Toreadors on a chilly Monday evening on a slick Linduska Field in Jefferson, Greene County churned out a dominant performance within a 55-minute timespan.

“There is still a lot to clean up, but the boys played well in slick conditions,” Carl Behne said. “Communication was solid, and the back line was better – talking to each other and stepping to the ball. I was very proud of our improvements.”

Hansen got the Rams rolling in the match’s opening moments, slipping a shot past the keeper to give the red and black an opening boost. Then, it was Gutierres’ turn to put on a show, scoring the Rams’ next five goals – even though the Toreadors did convert one of their attacks into their lone score of the match.

Right before intermission, Nathan Behne converted a corner with a splendid header, extending Greene County’s lead to an 8-1 advantage.

Returning from the break, Nathan Behne knocked in another score, before Gutierres put the game away with two more goals.

Along with his two goals, Nathan Behne provided three assists. Aguilar chipped in with two assists, followed by one assist each from Hansen, Gutierres, sophomore Edier Flores and senior Kolby Angell.

Ebersole was credited with four saves over the course of the match.

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