For the 3rd time in team history, the Knoxville Boys Soccer Squad will play in a state tournament match. Monday the Panthers head to Gilbert to battle the class 2A #1 ranked Tigers. Knoxville got to the State Tournament with a 4-1 victory over Perry on Thursday while Gilbert defeated Des Moines Christian 4-0 and are 15-0-1 with its only blemish a 1-1 to Mason City on April 1st. Knoxville comes in at 13-1-3 this season and with a lot of confidence. Senior player Ezra Schmidt tells KNIA/KRLS Sports it is all about who wants it more.

Schmidt: “Once you get to this point in the season, you just have to want it. It’s going to hurt a little, but it comes down to the work you put on and want on this day.”

Coach Dylan Mick says his captains have done a great job of leading all season…

Mick: “Good teams are coaches lead and great teams are player led. Those seniors, Max, Cecil, Ezra and Drake, our captains, tell the guys what to do, keep them in line, hold them accountable and tell them, watch the film it’s out there, so I’ve been so proud of how these guys have led this team.”

Gilbert is led by Connor Rash and Tyler Holten…who have combined to score 38 of the Tigers 58 goals this season. Tyler Jenkins in goal has 60 saves. Knoxville actually scored one more goal than Gilbert with 59 led by Jensen Finnegan with 16 on the season while Carson Cecil has come up with 50 saves. Listen for the call on 95.3 KNIA Monday night starting at 7:15