Johnston Boys' Soccer Squad Advances to Semifinals in State Tournament

After a shutout Thursday night, the Johnston boys' soccer team is on the way to the semifinals in the state soccer tournament.

The Dragons (19-2) beat Bettendorf 3-0 in the Class 3A quarterfinals in Des Moines.

All three of Johnston's goals came in the first half of the game.

This is the second year in a row the team has made the semifinal round of the state tournament.

Last year, the Dragons ended their state tourney run with a loss to Dowling Catholic in a shootout. They with a 3-1 victory in the substate finals.

Going into Thursday's game Bettendorf had a record of 16-2 and had only given up four goals all season.

The official Bettendorf High School Administrative team's Twitter feed called Johnston "an opponent to respect" early Thursday afternoon.

Several Johnston players talked to The Des Moines Register following Thursday night's game.

“We definitely left last year with a sour taste in our mouths,” Johnston forward Tyler Neumann, who scored one goal and assisted on another, told the Register. “We wanted to come back and come out strong. We definitely did that with three goals in the first half.”

Johnston will take on seventh seed West Des Moines Valley (16-6) in the semifinal game at 5 p.m. tonight at Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines.