A Penalty Shootout for the Ages
The Iowa City Regina Regals fought through a tense overtime to edge West Central Valley 1-0 in a penalty shootout that decided the state semifinal. The match, played under bright lights at the Des Moines Soccer Complex, saw both sides trade chances but neither could break the deadlock in regulation.
Evan Greve, who had spent the season as a midfielder before being thrust into goal, delivered the decisive save that sealed a 5-4 victory, sending the Regals to the championship match. His composure under pressure was a stark contrast to the early-season uncertainty that had surrounded his position.
West Central Valley’s keeper Mason Fortney had already kept his team alive with 12 saves, but the final spot‑kick slipped past him, leaving the Wildcats to reflect on a 15‑2‑1 season that ended in heartbreak. The defensive effort of the Wildcats, praised by Regina’s head coach Rick Larew, forced the Regals to dig deep for every chance.
Looking Ahead to the Final
The Regals will now meet the winner of the West Sioux and St. Albert clash, a match that could finally deliver the program’s first state title since 2019. With a perfect blend of composure and grit, the team hopes to translate its penalty heroics into a full‑time triumph.