The Daily Freeman-Journal

WEBSTER CITY — Aggressive runs at net and scoring opportunities haven’t been the problem for the Webster City boys’ soccer team this season. Capitalizing on those opportunities, now that’s a different story.

Those near-misses have led to plenty of frustrations too. And then came Thursday’s 9-1 victory over Boone, 80 minutes in which the Lynx transformed into finishers.

WCHS exploded for three goals in the span of one minute, had six goals before the match was even 15 minutes old and led 7-0 at the half to put Boone to bed at Lynx Field.

“There have definitely been times where we have struggled to get to goal or just find the back of the net, but the first half wasn’t one of those times,” WCHS head coach Craig Signorin said. ‘The guys came out excited to play and when they played quick and unselfish, that led to the amount of goals early in the first half.”

Isaac Bernard poured in four goals and upped his team-lead to 12 on the season. Jorge Alvavero made his season debut and looked right at home with two goals. Matt Perin scored twice as well and David Gutierrez, also on the field for the first time, added a goal.

Perin ignited the onslaught off a Carter Neuroth assist in the sixth minute, and Alvavero and Bernard added unassisted scores in rapid succession.

The same order — Perin, Alvavero and Bernard — rifled in goals in the 11th and 13th minutes, and Gutierrez also blasted one past Boone goalkeeper Ike Seeman in the 13th.

Bernard tacked on two more goals in the second half and Neuroth collected his second assist.

Boone (0-13) received a goal form Jayce Schultz in the 76th to avoid the shutout.

WCHS owned a 21-6 shots advantage, including 18-5 on target. Lynx goalkeepers Carsen Johnson and Gage Rossing both had two saves.

Good day at Waverly

WCHS won two close matches, one in penalty kicks, but a perfect day was thwarted in PK’s at Saturday’s Waverly-Shell Rock tournament in Waverly.

The Lynx took out Albia, 2-1, in their opener and then got past Benton, 3-2 in kicks, to enter their showdown with seventh-ranked (Class 2A) Hudson unbeaten on the day. But the Pirates got the better of the sudden-death format and prevailed, 2-1.

Perin and Alvavero both found the back of the net against Albia, Alvavero’s in the 57th minute being the match-winner. WCHS (8-5) out-shot Albia 12-5, 6-2 on goal.

“The boys really set the tone in the first game,” Signorin said. “We came out and played what I thought was our best soccer of the year in the first half.”

Johnson, in goal for the Lynx, came up with two clutch saves on penalty kicks to help the team prevail over Benton. Bernard, Neuroth and Jackson Moberly all converted on their PK’s.

Alvavero and Bernard scored, while Tasler had an assist during regulation.

WCHS led Hudson 1-0 at half on Bernard’s second goal of the day, courtesy of an Alvavero assist. Hudson evened the contest in the second half.

“The first half was excellent,” Signorin said. “We played toe-to-toe with the 7th-ranked team in the state and were winning. The guys were excited about going out into the second half, but just couldn’t keep it at zero.”

Bernard and Alvavero were both successful on their PK’s and Johnson came up with two saves, but Hudson made good on three of its attempts to earn the win.

“(Johnson) was outstanding in both shootouts,” Signorin said. “His job as a goalie is to save one and the pressure goes to the shooter. We just didn’t connect. But heads were high, it was a great day of soccer.”

Webster City 9, Boone 1

Thursday at Webster City

Boone 0 1 — 1

Webster City 7 2 — 9

Goals — Boone: Jayce Schultz (John Runestad assist) 76th minute. WC: Matt Perin (Carter Neuroth assist) 6th minute, Jorge Alvavero (unassisted) 6th minute, Isaac Bernard (unassisted) 6th minute, Perin (unassisted) 7th minute, Alvavero (unassisted) 11th minute, Bernard (unassisted) 13th minute, David Gutierrez (Jackson Moberly assist) 13th minute, Bernard (unassisted) 68th minute, Bernard (Neuroth assist) 75th minute. Shots — Boone 6, WC 21. Shots on goal — Boone 5, WC 18. Saves — Boone 9 (Ike Seeman), WC 4 (Carsen Johnson 2, Gage Rossing 2). Corner kicks — Boone 1, WC 5.

Webster City 2, Albia 1

Saturday at Waverly

Webster City 1 1 — 2

Albia 0 1 — 1

Goals — WC: Matt Perin (unassisted) 1st minute, Jorge Alvavero (unassisted) 57th minute. Shots — WC 12, Albia 5. Shots on goal — WC 6, Albia 2. Saves — WC 1 (Carsen Johnson), Albia 4. Corner kicks — WC 5, Albia 1.

Webster City 3, Benton 2

Saturday at Waverly

Webster City 2 1 1 — 3

Benton 1 1 0 — 2

Goals — WC: Jorge Alvavero (unassisted) 7th minute, Isaac Bernard (Will Tasler assist) 58th minute. Shots — WC 7, Benton 4. Shots on goal — WC 5, Benton 3. Saves — WC 1 (Carsen Johnson), Benton 2. Corner kicks — WC 5, Benton 4.

Hudson 2, Webster City 1

Saturday at Waverly

Webster City 1 0 0 — 1

Hudson 0 1 1 — 2

Goals — WC: Isaac Bernard (Jorge Alvavero assist) 12th minute. Shots — WC 4, Hudson 9. Shots on goal — WC 2, Hudson 3. Saves — WC 2 (Carsen Johnson). Corner kicks — WC 2, Hudson 6.