Northwest Girls Soccer Wins State Title

The Northwest girls’ soccer team won the Class 3A state championship Saturday, defeating Linn-Mar 3-2.

The victory capped a spring sports season of unprecedented success for the Wolves. Northwest also won state titles in girls’ track and field, girls’ tennis, and boys’ tennis, and finished as state runner-up in girls’ golf.

Northwest advanced to the title game by defeating Bettendorf 3-0 in the quarterfinals. The Wolves then played Waukee in the semifinals where they won 1-0.

After falling behind 1-0 early in the championship match, Northwest responded with two goals following a lightning delay. Linn-Mar tied the game midway through the second half before Olivia Stapleton scored the go-ahead goal with 15:33 remaining. The Wolves held off the Lions the rest of the way to secure the school’s first state championship in girls’ soccer, after reaching the state semifinals each of the past three years.

Five Northwest players were named to the Class 3A all-tournament team: Grace Thomason, Lindsay Shane, Romey Croatt, Izzy Simonini and Josie Jones. Jones was also named the all-tournament team captain.