For the first time ever, the Western Christian Wolfpack has won the Class 1A spring soccer championship.
The last time Western Christian boys soccer won a state championship was in the fall of 1996.
After finishing runner-up in 1A the past two seasons, the second-seeded Wolfpack took down top-seeded Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck on Saturday in the 1A title game to win the gold trophy at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. The first half saw plenty of shots on goal for both teams, but both ended up going into the second half 0 – 0. Miles Baccam scored both Western Christian (18-3) goals. Baccam scored two minutes into the second half off an assist by senior midfielder Zachary Minderhoud. Senior midfielder Kalen Hartbecke set up the second Western Christian (15-2) goal as Baccam laced a shot into the net.
Baccam was named captain of the 1A all-state tournament team. He was joined on the 11-player squad by junior Uchan Harberts, Minderhoud and junior goaltender JD Petitt.
The Wolfpack, with an overall record of 15-2, made it to the championship game after winning the Class 1A quarterfinal against Treynor before taking down Regina in a penalty kick shootout. The Rebels came into the championship with an undefeated record.
