The Webster City head coach liked what he was seeing, right up until the moment he didn’t.

One letdown, one moment that lasted no more than 10 seconds where the Lynx hoped someone would make a play rather than someone simply making it, was all it took.

Iowa Falls-Alden 1, Webster City 0. So long, season.

With the ball in the middle of the box in the 67th minute, the Cadets’ Jaden Penning flicked it left in the direction of Christoffer Hanson and he won a one-on-one battle for possession. With the ball on his foot, Hanson turned and blasted a low shot out of the reach of a diving Carsen Johnson, the Lynx goalkeeper, and it snuck inside the right post for the only goal of the match.

Webster City senior Drake Doolittle (facing) looks to avoid a collision with a sliding Jaden Penning of Iowa Falls-Alden as Lynx goalkeeper Carsen Johnson watches in the background during Monday’s Class 2A Substate 2 quarterfinal match in Iowa Falls. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

It was Hanson’s ninth goal and the Lynx fourth shutout loss of the season.

“We played a solid game, there’s no doubt about that, but those 10 seconds hurt,” Signorin said. “The goal we did give up, we just kind of hoped on that one that we didn’t have to work as hard. We hoped someone would make a challenge and it didn’t happen.”

IF-A (13-5), which beat the Lynx for the third time this season and pushed its winning streak to eight straight matches, advanced to this evening’s substate semifinal against fourth-ranked Gilbert (16-2) on the Tigers’ home turf. Eighth-ranked Norwalk resides on the other side of the bracket.

Right at home on the fast field turf, the Cadets had more opportunities to dent the scoreboard. They put Johnson in the spotlight on three consecutive corner kicks midway through the first half and twice the WCHS senior slapped shots out of the zone. Johnson, who finished with eight saves, also snagged a long laser off the foot of Hanson in the 18th minute to keep the match scoreless at the half.

Lynx junior defender Will Tasler had plenty to do with the Cadets’ missed opportunities as well. Twice in the first half he raced in and thwarted open runs at net and he continued to be the leader throughout the second half.

Webster City defender Sean Godfredsen (18) challenges Iowa Falls-Alden’s Brody Steinfeldt (5) for a free ball on Monday in Iowa Falls. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“They had most of the opportunities and we know that,” Signorin said. “They have some dangerous guys up top and their defense is great as well. But I thought (Tasler) did his job and he did it well.”

IF-A out-shot WCHS (10-8) 15-8, including 9-3 on target. The Cadets took seven corner kicks to just three for the Lynx.

WCHS had its opportunities though, two of which stuck with Signorin after the match.

Still scoreless in the 43rd minute, Lynx forward Isaac Bernard took a feed on the run directly in front of the net with no one in his way, but his chip shot sailed over the goal. Later in the second half, Jackson Moberly perfectly executed a corner kick and tossed it inside the box to an open Carter Neuroth, but the junior had the ball deflect off his chest and careen wide of the right post.

“That’s kind of the tale of Webster City 2019 soccer where we had numerous chances in games, but didn’t use our technique,” Signorin said. “We just weren’t confident enough in front of the goal and that’s why we didn’t get into a rhythm all year.”

WCHS junior Will Tasler clears the ball during the second half of Monday’s Class 2A Substate 2 quarterfinal in Iowa Falls. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

IF-Alden 1, Webster City 0

Class 2A Substate 2 Quarterfinal

Monday at Iowa Falls

Webster City 0 0 — 0

IF-Alden 0 1 — 1

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Goals — IF-A: Christoffer Hanson (Jaden Penning assist) 67th minute. Shots — WC 8, IF-A 15, Shots on goal — WC 3, IF-A 9. Saves — WC 8 (Carsen Johnson), IF-A 3 (Henry Cruz). Corner kicks — WC 3, IF-A 7.