Waukee Northwest High School captured its first Class 4A boys soccer state championship on June 5, edging Ankeny Centennial 3-1 in a match that swung back and forth until the final minutes. The victory was especially notable because the opposition entered the final with a 17‑0‑2 record.
A penalty kick that changed everything
The Wolves fell behind early, but Sully Ervin equalized with a well‑placed strike to make it 1‑1. Ten minutes later, Eman Alicic stepped up to take a penalty and sent the ball past the keeper, putting Northwest ahead 2‑1.
With just 20 seconds remaining, Jose Venales sealed the victory with a quick finish that left the crowd roaring, cementing a 3‑1 final score.
Coach Carlos Acebey praised the composure of both Ervin and Alicic, noting that the team’s resilience was evident throughout the game. Ankeny Centennial head coach Brian Duax, while disappointed, highlighted the impact of his senior class on the program’s rise.
The win marks a dramatic turnaround for Northwest, which had finished as runners‑up in its inaugural season five years earlier, and underscores the growing soccer culture in the Des Moines suburbs.