Breakthrough season ends one goal short

URBANDALE — With nearly double the wins they had a year ago, the Creston boys soccer team finished just one goal shy of playing in the District 2A-7 finals after an overtime loss to Des Moines Christian Wednesday.

“This season has been so special,” second-year coach Adrien Flores said. “Last year, we won five games. This year, we finished with nine wins and three ties. The growth in this group has been amazing to watch.”

After being down 1-0 at halftime, the Panthers rallied to score two goals in the second — one from star Joaquin Flores and one from freshman Kade Goins. Carlos Page and Jace Purdum were credited with the assists. Baret Lane had a big game in goal, coming away with 16 saves.

With the Lions having also scored in the second half, the game went into overtime, a portion of game only played in the postseason.

After two scoreless 10-minute overtimes, the game came down to penalty kicks where each coach selects any five players, including the goalkeeper, to take the kicks. The Lions made three goals compared to Creston’s one, giving them the overtime victory.

“It was a tough way to lose, but I could not be more proud of these boys,” Flores said. “They played their hearts out and left everything on the field.”

The team graduates three seniors — Ayden Purdum, CT Stalker and Hector Suazo. “Over the last two years, I have seen so much growth in them as players and as people,” Flores said. “It is going to be hard to say goodbye to them because they are not only great soccer players, but also amazing young men.”

Though the statistics show a dominant force from Joaquin, a state-high 42 goals scored this season, it’s clear the team is more than a one-man show. With nine assists from David Sandoval and eight goals and eight assists from Jace Purdum, Joaquin was surrounded with a productive supporting cast.

“Jace Purdum, David Sandoval, Joaquin Flores and Carlos Page worked so well together in the midfield and developed so much throughout the season,” Flores said. “David, Joaquin and Jace were key players for us all year.”

Flores shattered the previous school record of 27 goals, set in 2021 by Aiden Anderson.

Lane finished the season with 93 saves, an unofficial 71.3 save percentage. Twenty of these saves were in the postseason. “Baret Lane as goalie did very well this season,” Flores said. “He saved several of our winning games. We couldn’t win the games without him.”

From consistent starters to mid-game subs, each player contributed to the season’s success.

“Our defenders — Davin Wallace, Joshua Anderson and Ayden Purdum — were amazing,” Flores said. “Davin’s speed, ball control and athleticism made him so fun to watch. Austin Jondle, Justin Myers, Wyatt Burwell and Kade Goins also had great seasons. Kade came in as a freshman, earned varsity playing time and scored three goals this season.”

The team hopes to return 12 next year including many key players.