WEBSTER CITY’S FERNANDO RUBI ANTUNEZ converted a penalty kick at Sioux Center in a state semifinal match on Monday. (DFJ photo by David Borer)

SIOUX CENTER — Webster City’s Class 2A boys state opener is what young soccer players dream of.

After a scoreless 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime, the state semifinal berth came down to five penalty kicks.

Five Webster City (17-0 overall) strikers vs. five Sioux Center (13-1-2) strikers. Winner moves on.

The Lynx advanced with a 3-2 advantage in their third straight state trip, giving the school its first ever state semifinal berth in boys soccer.

“Our effort was outstanding — and had to be,” said WCHS head coach Craig Signorin. “Sioux Center is a great team. We were on the defensive some of the game, but they had a tough time breaking us down.

“It was a group effort. It took all 11 guys.”

After the first three penalty kicks, the teams were tied at 2-2. Both squads missed their fourth, setting up the state’s top goal scorer in Webster City’s Eddy Fuentes-Cruz.

Fuentes-Cruz walked up to the ball, stutter stepped and kicked it through for the 44th time this season for a 3-2 advantage.

“This match meant everything to me and to us as a team…making history,” Fuentes-Cruz said. “As the fifth kicker, I was calm and relaxed and certain with the kick. As the ball went in, I felt relieved getting my part done for the team.

“The team played so well on defense. All glory to God for this amazing win.”

The Warriors still had one last chance. With Lynx sophomore Edwin Ramos Nolasco in the box — one kick vs. one save — it was all on the line.

“I was pretty nervous. My heart was pounding,” Ramos Nolasco said. “I had to push through not just for me, but for the team.

“I knew I had to stop that penalty. I just had to.”

Sioux Center toed the spot, walked up and kicked. Ramos Nolasco read the shot to perfection, diving to his right, sticking his hands out and stopping the game-tying attempt to end it.

“I always get on Edwin for never having saved a PK yet. I guess he proved me wrong,” Signorin said. “He had two incredible saves — one great touch he pushed off the post, and one to seal the win for us.

“It was incredible. He played an outstanding all game. I’m so proud of him.”

Ramos Nolasco ran off to the field to join his teammates in celebration after the clutch shot.

“I was really emotional and happy we were able to push through and advance to the semis for the first time in school history,” Ramos Nolasco said. “We went to state the last two years, but just never got past that first game.

“This really means a lot to us.”

The PK round started with Sioux Center making their first and Webster City’s Conner Peck shot was saved. The Warriors missed their second, though, and Webster City’s Fernando Rubi Antunez connected.

Ramos Nolasco stepped into an unfamiliar spot on offense, converting before the Warriors answered for a 2-2 tie.

“It felt really different (being on offense),” Ramos Nolasco said. “In practice, I’m able to score a good penalty, but in a game — my very first time taking a penalty, in an important match (especially) — it’s just really scary and hard.”

Ramos Nolasco saved the fourth shot and Webster City’s Israel Torres didn’t score.

“It means a lot to us to advance,” Ramos Nolasco said. “We have worked hard all season, and to see the hard work pay off means so much.

“I’m proud of every single one of the guys.”

The seventh-ranked Lynx will now face No. 1 Gilbert (17-0-1) at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday inside Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines. Second-rated Sioux City Heelan will meet No. 5 Williamsburg in the other semifinal at 5 p.m.

The finals are Friday at 2:30 p.m.