Lynx head coach Craig Signorin didn’t demand the additional work. The players did what they felt was right; they saw it as their penance for what had transpired in the closing moments of a disappointing and frustrating 2-1 loss in extra time to rival Humboldt.

“I like the accountability,” Signorin said.

WCHS (5-4) hung with a bigger, quicker and clearly more physical Humboldt (4-1) team for 83-plus minutes, and yet the Lynx lack of aggression proved to be their downfall.

Bluntly put, set pieces are golden opportunities to score, and WCHS squandered those chances.

Webster City’s Isaac Haule (1) uses his head to win a free ball against Humboldt’s Jacob Heier (5) on Friday at Lynx Field in Webster City. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Seven corner kicks yielded just one shot on goal and the Lynx were held scoreless over the final 69 minutes in their second 2-1 loss of the season to the Wildcats.

“I’m super proud of my guys and the back line was really good, but our offense had no energy,” Signorin said. “It’s frustrating. They want somebody else to do it for them and I don’t understand that philosophy at all. If the ball is in the air you go attack it, and we just simply don’t look like we want to do that.”

The front line was slow to respond to a Humboldt counter in extra time and that left Max Mason alone with the ball on the left flank. He sent a towering, arcing shot toward the goal that snuck inside the right post on the high side, just out of the reach of WCHS goalkeeper Gage Rossing, for the winner.

Mason’s boot came from almost the exact same spot as teammate Zach Heider’s goal on a free kick in the 32nd minute that evened the match at 1. It too nudged its way into the right corner just over Rossing’s outstretched arms.

WCHS jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute courtesy of Martin Kasonga’s team-leading ninth goal of the season. The Lynx caught the Humboldt defense napping on a throw-in and Eduardo Perez whipped a pass down the left side. Kasonga dribbled toward the goal and beat Wildcats’ goalie Zach Frideres.

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Kasonga had another chance late in regulation on a through ball from Perez from midfield. Kasonga streaked past the defense and had a one-on-one look in the 75th minute, but Frideres was in position to snag the shot and preserve the 1-1 score.

WCHS didn’t get many good looks at goal though. Humboldt asserted control and owned a 16-9 edge in shots, including 9-5 on frame. The Wildcats received three yellow cards, but their physical style worked to their advantage.

WCHS again battled through injuries that left some key contributors watching from the sideline, some in new positions and some inexperienced players on the pitch, maybe for the first time. Signorin says it’s a predicament that’s probably here to stay for the time being.

“Even guys that are playing are banged up, but we’re managing,” he said. “We’re still playing OK soccer, especially against the team we just played. This is what you’ve got to deal with.”

Rossing had seven saves in the loss.

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Humboldt 2, WCHS 1

Friday at Webster City

Humboldt 1 0 1 — 2

WCHS 1 0 0 — 1

Goals — HUM: Zach Heider (unassisted, 32′), Max Mason (unassisted, 84′); WCHS: Martin Kasonga (Eduardo Perez assist, 14′). Shots — HUM 16, WCHS 9. Shots on goal — HUM 9, WCHS 5. Saves — HUM 4 (Zach Frideres), WCHS 7 (Gage Rossing). Corner kicks — HUM 2, WCHS 7. Yellow card — HUM: Cristhan Ramirez (25′), Sam Fischer (65′), Bench (72′).

DFJ photo/Troy Banning