Jose Velazco, Jack Hansen, Gesser Gutierres (l-r) Photo courtesy of Sue Rieder

Something had to give on Wednesday night at Linduska Field in Jefferson when the high scoring Greene County offense faced the stingy Chariton defense in the Class 2A boys’ soccer Substate 7 final. Greene County advances to the State Tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex on the southeast side of Des Moines after a 3-0 victory over the Chargers.

Entering the action, the Rams had scored 85 goals in 16 matches and the Chargers had allowed just eight in 14 contests. Junior Gesser Gutierres scored three times in the first half, his 40th, 41st, and 42nd goals of the season to lead Class 2A. The third and final goal came with 2:01 to go in the first half and there was not second half scoring. Assists went to Kolby Angell, Jose Velazco, and Jack Hansen.

The Rams advance with a 13-4 record while the Chargers end at 12-3. Head coach Carl Behne told Raccoon Valley Radio the game plan worked well by getting an early lead, then controlling the tempo. Chariton had not allowed more than two goals to anyone until the first half vs. the Rams.

Coach Behne toldRaccoon Valley radio, “It was a great game for everyone! Our defense played great midfilders Bork (Ersness) and Fredy (Aguiilar) really stepped up. Just like our back line of Bradyen (Roberts), Cody (Allen), and Brynley (Ruzicka) Those six guys set the tone!”

The State tournament appearance is the third in the five seasons of Greene County soccer, and it’s the first time there have been four boys’ classes and the first time in 2A for the Rams. Three of the eight 2A qualifiers are from the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference in Nevada, Perry, and Greene County. Others in the 2A field are Bishop Heelan (Sioux City), Webster City, Gilbert, Center Point-Urbana, and Assumption (Davenport).