Saturday afternoon Thriller
11 MAY 24
Johnston IA, What more could you ask for in the final regular season game? Johnston hosted Iowa City West in their final regular season game. This game was circled on the calendar, since the team’s schedules came out, as it was a rematch of last year’s Class 4 A state Championship. We went scoreless after 80 minutes of play which meant we had ourselves some overtime soccer this Saturday afternoon. Both teams had changes in overtime number one, and we required an extra overtime session. With around five minutes remaining in the second overtime session, junior Kadin Nguyen fed senior Carlos Martinez in the slot, and Martinez put the nail in the coffin, helping Johnston secure a 1-0 win over Iowa City.
“it was amazing to come out on top infront of all of our supporters, especially at home. We knew from the beginning what we wanted from the this game and we stayed true to our game plan and fortunately i was able to put it away and get us another victory,” Martinez said.
“we capped off a grueling week in about as best of a fashion as possible, but none of that matters now and certainly none of it carries over. First season is complete and the second season approaches soon,” Frizzell said.
Dragons Conquer Southeast Polk 5-0
10 MAY 24
Altoona IA, The Rams of Southeast Polk welcomed #1 ranked Johnston Friday evening. Johnston Sophomore Cael Leach opened the scoring for Johnston with his 4th goal on the year.
“It was nice to score in back to back games, but it’s even nicer to win games at this time of year. The winning streak recently has been great for us and we’re looking to continue that momentum heading into the biggest games of our season,” Leach said.
Junior Admir Kotoric scores twice, grabbing goal numbers 2 and 3 on the year, senior AJ Colocho and Angel Miramontes rounded out the scoring for Johnston, helping them defeat the Rams 5-0.
Dragons secure a 4-1 win over East
08 MAY 24
Des Moines IA, Des Moines East welcomed Johnston Wednesday evening. Johnston senior Mateo Munguia would open the scoring for Johnston with his 1st goal of the season.
“It felt great to be back playing and score in my first game back. I’m super proud of the team for the consecutive wins especially while I’ve been gone. After being injured for so long finally playing and scoring is a great feeling as well as a confidence booster. The team is getting back some injured players and will soon be at full strength,” Munguia said.
Sophomore Teegan Sieverding made it 2-0 Johnston, which is his 3rd goal of the season. East would get one to cut the Dragon lead to just 1 going into halftime. Sophomore Cael Leach and junior Isaiah LaMark sealed the deal, Leach grabbing his 3rd goal and LaMark grabbing his 2nd goal of the season.
Pope scores twice in return as Dragons top Ames
06 MAY 24
Johnston IA, Johnston IA, The Dragons hosted Ames Monday evening at the Dragon Stadium. Just under five minutes into the game, Junior Kyron Pope, in his first game back, puts home a second chance opportunity to make it 0-1. Johnston, his 4th goal on the season.
“It felt really good to get back on the field even if it was for a few minutes. It had been so long since I played and getting two goals the game I came back felt really good. I think sitting on the bench for a while helped me learn a lot, from what the team was doing and what I can do when I come back to help us succeed. While it wasn’t ideal to be sitting that long I do think it helped me grow as a player and teammate,” Pope said.
Around seventeen minutes into the first half, Johnston junior Isaiah LaMark let one go just outside of the goalkeepers box and it sealed over Ames goalkeeper Ian Spry and into the top left hand corner to make it 0-2 Johnston, and it was LaMakes first goal of the season. Fifteen In the second half, Pope broke free into the offensive zone and followed his first chance and buried his second chance, making it 0-3 Johnston.
