Eagles Soar to State Tournament
The Pella Christian boys soccer team captured a dramatic 1-0 win over Burlington Notre Dame in the Class 1A Substate Five Championship, a victory that marks the program’s first State Tournament berth since 2016.
A penalty kick by senior forward Ben Van Wyngarden in the 67th minute proved decisive, slipping past the Notre Dame keeper to put the Eagles ahead.
Coach Mike Vander Molen lauded the squad’s disciplined defensive shape, noting that the team’s back line recorded its second straight shutout in the postseason and limited the Nikes to just one shot on goal.
The win also highlighted the growing support from alumni and former players, many of whom traveled to the neutral site to cheer on the youngsters.
Next up, Pella Christian will meet West Sioux in the State Tournament final on Monday at 2:30 p.m. at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines, a venue that promises an electric atmosphere for the Eagles.
With the championship still fresh, the team is already turning its focus to the next challenge, confident that their defensive identity can compete with the state’s elite.