Heading into the semifinals: What we learned from Gilbert's 1-0 win over Marion at boys state soccer

Gilbert junior Alex Ruba desperately wanted a win over Marion in the Class 2A quarterfinals of the boys state soccer tournament Wednesday.

And some candy.

Ruba converted a sensational header into a goal off a free kick by Evan Weary with 1:41 left in the first overtime to give Gilbert a 1-0 victory over the Wolves and earn the Tigers a spot in the semifinals Friday at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.

"I was walking up there telling (Weary) give me one, give me one," Ruba said. "He played a beautiful ball, I got behind the defense and I finished it. I'm so happy."

Weary placed the ball perfectly to the left side of the goal from 25 yards out and Weary came charging in and took full advantage of his 6-foot, 5-inch frame to go up and put his head on the ball, sending it into the net for the win.

"Coach always says give it a chance and get it on frame and I was trying to get that back-post run to Ruba," Weary said. "He's 6-5, give it a chance. It was crazy. Embrace the moment and on to the next."

After the score Ruba was given a bag of SweeTARTS.

"I remember Coach getting some (SweeTARTS) one day and I was trying to steal some and he caught me," Ruba said. "I made a bet with my coach that for every header goal I get, I get candy. It motivates me to score as much as possible."

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The goal showed Gilbert's tremendous resiliency. The Tigers had trouble putting good runs together on offense all game going against a tough Marion team, but when they got their opportunity they struck.

"They bring each other up when things are not going well and when things are going well they celebrate each other's successes," Gilbert head coach B.J. Jordison said. "The resiliency has been there all season. It came out strong today."

Ruba just missed a goal on a direct kick that just sailed right with six minutes left in the first half. Gilbert wasn't quite able to follow a free kick by Weary for a goal six minutes into the second half and Jackson Johnson had a shot go just wide right 11 minutes into the second half.

Marion had a couple of good chances, usually coming from junior Jackson Kirsch, who came into the game with an amazing 55 goals on the season. But Gilbert's defense, led by Ruba and Owen Kautman, hung tough every time the Wolves made a run.

"We knew (Kirsch) is a phenomenal player," Ruba said. "We knew we had to keep him on our eyes, so all game I was talking to my backs and we were keeping an eye on him. If we can take away No. 9 (Kirsch) we can keep them from scoring and we did that."

Marion ended its season at 16-2. Gilbert will take a 17-2 record into the 2A semifinals Friday against top-seeded Pella (18-2). Pella defeated Spencer by a 2-1 score in the semifinals.

"We're happy to be here still playing," Jordison said. "I think it's a good match-up."

Gilbert and Pella will start at 2:30 p.m. Friday on Field 6 at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

Gilbert 1, Marion 0 (OT)

Gilbert        0        0        1 — 1

Marion        0        0        0 — 0

Scoring

Overtime

G — Alex Ruba (Evan Weary), 88:19.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: What we learned from Gilbert's 1-0 state quarterfinal win over Marion