Des Moines Hoover High School captured its first-ever Iowa boys soccer state championship on Saturday, edging Norwalk 4-3 in a match that swung back and forth until the final whistle.
A Comeback for the Ages
The Huskies fell behind 2-0 early, but a surge of energy after the break sparked a dramatic turnaround.
Danny Baquedano Andino stepped up to convert two penalty kicks, leveling the score before Ombewambapole Simbi added the third goal for Hoover.
Esanda Kilozo then found the net with a decisive strike and also set up the winning assist, sealing a 4-3 victory.
Norwalk’s Eli Scavo and Tyden Eng each contributed a goal and an assist, while Hudson Ford opened the scoring for the opposition.
Head coach Jonathan Rubino praised his squad’s resilience, noting the challenges they had overcome to reach the final and the importance of the milestone for the program.
The win marks a historic milestone for Des Moines Public Schools, the first boys soccer title for any district program, and underscores a community united by perseverance.