The Pella Christian boys soccer team opened postseason play Tuesday night by avenging their 2023 Substate Final loss to West Branch, downing the Bears 5-1 in the Class 1A Substate 7 Semifinals.

The Eagles jumped ahead early and never looked back, as Theo Hugen beat the defense to the ball on a long pass from Ethan Van Arendonk, and Hugen snuck the ball past the goalie and off a defender to give P.C. the 1-0 lead. Pella Christian added to their advantage just before halftime, as a West Branch hand ball in the box gave the Eagles a penalty kick in the 39th minute, and Nathan Brouwer converted on the opportunity to make the score 2-0 going into the second half. Pella Christian wasted little time stretching the advantage out of the intermission, as Van Arendonk found the back of the net on an assist from Camden Parker in the 44th minute, which made the score 3-0. The Bears added their lone goal in the 47th minute, but the Eagles put the game away late in the second half. Ethan Van Arendonk converted on a penalty kick in the 70th minute to push the score to 4-1, before Ben Van Wyngarden tallied the final goal in the 79th minute. 

With the win, Pella Christian next plays for a State Tournament Berth in the Class 1A Substate 7 Finals, traveling to West Central Valley on Thursday. The Eagles and Wildcats previously squared off on April 19th, with West Central Valley winning that matchup 4-1.