By: Matt Scher, [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – The 2021-2022 athletics season at Humboldt High School just continues to shine in ways in which we have never seen the likes of before and tonight it was the boys’ soccer program who moved into the limelight.
The Wildcats hosted the Perry Bluejays who made the 80 minute trek up from northwest of Des Moines to Humboldt to face off against the Wildcats in the Class 2A- Substate 2 Finals with the winner advancing to the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) State Quarterfinals as the region’s State Qualifier. The Wildcats checked into the match ranked as the No. 1 team in the 2A Coaches Poll Rankings with a perfect record of 16-0 and the Bluejays were at 13-6.
Humboldt would strike first in the match with 22 minutes left in the first half courtesy of Jacob Heier (Sr.).
The Wildcats would not look back as they would add another goal five minutes later, this time by the speedy Antonio Xum Vicario (Fr.).
Humboldt was not finished with their offensive output for the match, as the Wildcats would find the back of the net once more with Isaiah Kahl (Sr.) taking advantage of a loose rebound.
A late goal on a penalty kick by the Bluejays would make things interesting, but in the end it was the Wildcats who would prevail 3-1.
KHBT caught up with Head Coach Joe Hadar in the midst of a celebration in the pouring rain on the win.
With the win, the Wildcats remain perfect on the 2022 season with a 17-0 mark and are in the IHSAA State Playoffs for the first time in program history. After the conclusion of all substate matches this evening, the bracket is now set as the Wildcats received the No. 6 seed and will face the No. 3 seed Lewis Central Titans on June 1 at the James Cownie Soccer Complex on Field #8 in Des Moines. The match is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. CDT.
KHBT will carry the 2A Boys’ Soccer Quarterfinal match live on the air.