Not many coaches get an ice water shower after a loss, but Mount Vernon boys soccer coach Nate Grosse got one Monday, May 20, in Kingston Stadium.
The Mustangs had lost, 5-1, to Cedar Rapids Washington in a Class 3A substate semifinal.
“That’s a sign of the senior class and where the team feels like progress has been made,” Grosse said. “And a big sign of the culture. The guys are pretty locked in.”
Mount Vernon finished the first season under Grosse 7-9. From a wins and losses standpoint, that’s a step back from the year before, when the Mustangs were 9-7. But …
“Our new coach made a big difference,” junior Gavin Plathe said. “It is a new step in the program for us.”
“I think the guys just bought into that whole process of being a team,” said Grosse, who also coaches the Cornell Rams. “That’s what you hope for. Well, you hope for results, and winning these matches. But overall, just the culture they built is a great sign moving forward.”
Cedar Rapids Washington, which beat Mount Vernon 4-0 back on April 13, proved just too much to handle.
The Warriors assaulted the Mustang goal all night, putting pressure on Mount Vernon from whistle to whistle.
“It was for sure exhausting,” Plathe said. “They are just a good, fast, can use their right or left, get around players easy … they are just a quick-paced team.”
The Mustangs kept the Warriors off the scoreboard for the first half of the first half, but senior Shabani Mabele connected for a pair of goals within a 90-second span.
Freshman Fernar Kiza added a third goal before half that hit the top of the bar and deflected into the goal.
“They have a very strong front line,” Grosse said. “And their back line is not bad either. We tried to adjust tactically to try and weather the storm, but they are a very good team.”
Washington beat ADM 4-0 Thursday, May 22, in the substate championship to earn a spot at the state tournament.
Down 3-0, senior goalie Uwen Boettcher, got a little frustrated and pushed a Warrior attacker. Junior goalie Andrew Barns came and in made a save on the penalty kick, but gave up two goals.
Senior Mwena Tambwe drilled a direct shot, and then Cam Stroschine scored on a header from a perfectly-placed corner kick by Holden Smith.
Mount Vernon did break the shutout with a goal from junior Mason Chizek off a pass from sophomore Jaxon Anderson.
“It was a frustrating match, for sure, but you’ve got to keep playing,” Plathe said. “That’s what we did.”
“They put in 80 minutes, honored the team, and honored their teammates,” Grosse said. “I’m fully pleased the way the guys came out tonight and battled.”