The Norwalk boys soccer team advanced within a game of the state tournament on Tuesday night, defeating Carlisle 2-0 in a Class 3A, Substate 5 semifinal. On a rainy night at Mineart Field, the third-ranked Warriors scored on an own goal created by Nolan Fletcher and added a key second-half insurance goal by Emmett Apana-Stipe.

Norwalk finished with 13 shots on goal compared to just one for the Wildcats. Tavin Ferner led the team with four shots, followed by Fletcher with three. Jacoby Robbins had one save.

The Warriors improved to 9-7-2 on the season. They will now host Bondurant-Farrar (8-9-1) in Thursday’s Substate 5 championship game at 7:00 p.m. The Warriors, who are seeking a third consecutive trip to state, defeated the Bluejays 6-0 on April 4. Bondurant-Farrar advanced to the substate final with Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at ADM.

Softball rained out

Tuesday’s Norwalk softball game vs. Ankeny Centennial was suspended by rain in the bottom of the second inning and called off. The Class 5A second-ranked Jaguars led the 4A seventh-rated Warriors 1-0 when play was halted. No make-up date was announced.

Wednesday’s Schedule

The Norwalk girls soccer team opens Class 2A regional play tonight, hosting Oskaloosa at 7:00 p.m. in a Region 7 semifinal. The sixth-ranked Warriors are 10-3-3 overall and will be playing their first game in 12 days. The Indians improved to 7-8-2 with Friday’s 10-0 regional win over Centerville.

Norwalk shut out Oskaloosa 8-0 during the regular season. Tonight’s winner will face Bondurant-Farrar or Carlisle in Friday’s regional final.

The Norwalk baseball and softball teams host varsity doubleheaders against Newton tonight in the first Little Hawkeye Conference games of the season. The baseball twin bill starts at 5:00 p.m. Game two can be heard live on kniakrls.com (KRLS3). Softball will get underway at 5:30, with game two streamed live on kniakrls.com (KNIA3).