Des Moines Hoover edged Dallas Center-Grimes 1-0 in the Class 3A boys soccer state semifinal, a result that propels the Huskies into the championship match.
Isack Ramadhani struck the decisive blow in the second half, finishing a swift counter-attack that left the opposition’s defense scrambling.
Hoover coach Jonathan Rubino said the team felt overlooked as the sixth seed, a narrative that fueled their intensity throughout the contest.
Between the posts, goalkeeper Amisi Bita made a series of saves that kept the Huskies in contention despite a flurry of chances from Dallas Center-Grimes.
A Match That Echoes Past Rivalries
The victory also marks a personal milestone, as the Huskies avenged a defeat two years earlier at the hands of the same opponent, the No. 2 ranked Dallas Center-Grimes.
Next up, Hoover will meet No. 5 Norwalk in the state title game scheduled for June 5 at noon, a showdown that promises another tightly contested battle.