Ames scored a pair of first half goals to defeat Iowa City West, 2-0, in the Class 3A Region 1 semifinal on May 28. With the win, the Little Cyclones improved to 10-5-1. The visiting Trojans finished the season at 8-7-2.
The Little Cyclones’ last victory in a regional semifinal was in 2022, when Ames defeated Mason City 3-0.
“It’s fun to win the game and win in the playoffs,” said Bobby Myers, the Little Cyclones’ head coach. “We’ve been talking about our goals, and one of them was to get to the point (to qualify for state). One game to go, let’s see what we can do.”
Senior Nadia Kobayashi and freshman Sara Bierbaum scored the goals for Ames, and sophomore Simay Zhu as well as senior Meabh Hennessy each had an assist. Junior goalkeeper Elizabeth Lehmkuhl kept her fourth clean sheet of the season with seven saves.
“It’s really big for us to get some other people to score goals instead of just being one person scoring the goals,” Myers said. “Carly (Selsby, who leads the team with 16 goals) is fighting hard, but now getting a lot of attention. So to have Nadia and Sara get some goals and Sara putting pressure with her speed up top, is what it’s all about.”
Kobayashi gave Ames the lead with her sixth goal of the season just 2:33 into the match. She fired a shot from just inside the penalty area in stride on her right foot to make it 1-0. The Little Cyclones doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute thanks to Bierbaum’s third goal of the season.
The Little Cyclones finished with a 17-14 edge in shots, including 8-5 on target. Ames also had three corner kicks to the Trojans’ one.
“I’m really proud of the team and the effort,” Myers said. “We’ve been talking all season about coming out with that level of urgency. Being able to get a win against a quality team, can’t ask for more.”
Ames fell 3-0 to No. 1 Waukee Northwest in the Class 3A Region 1 championship on May 30.
Ames 2, Iowa City West 0
Ames (2) — Nadia Kobayashi, 2:33; Sara Bierbaum, 22:02. Shots (on goal) — 15 (8 on goal). Individual shots (on goal) — Carly Selsby 6 (3 on goal), Sara Bierbaum 4 (2 on goal), Deirbhile Hennessy 2 (1 on goal), Nadia Kobayashi 2 (1 on goal), Kiersten Hinson 2 (1 on goal) and Simay Zhu 1. Keeper saves — Elizabeth Lehmkuhl 7. Fouls — 0.
Iowa City West (0) — Shots (on goal) — 14 (5). Saves — 5. Fouls — 0.
