Bozarth’s overtime goal extends Cardinals’ season

Landon Bozarth’s time as a high school soccer player is approaching the finish line.

But the Cardinal senior who has started every match of his prep career made sure that line was extended to at least one more game after his goal in overtime sent the Newton boys soccer team to a 1-0 win over Winterset in the opening round of the Class 3A Substate 7 tournament on Tuesday.

“We dominated all game, and it was time to get out of the rain,” Bozarth said. “I just wanted it more. We got it done finally.”

The contest was postponed Monday due to severe thunderstorms, but there was at least light rain throughout Tuesday’s matchup, too.

The Cardinals dominated play for the entire match but neither team found the back of the net until the 88th minute.

Newton had a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks and finally cashed in when Connor Vest’s well-placed ball was headed in by Bozarth.

It was his fourth goal of the season, and the first career assist from Vest.

“He’s meant a lot to our program the last four years, and I’m super proud of him for getting that one,” Newton head boys soccer coach Zach Jensen said. “We needed someone to step up and do that and he was able to get it done. He produced tonight when we needed it the most.”

Newton (6-10-2) again had plenty of opportunities on the offensive side of the pitch, but the Cardinals were unable to crack the scoreboard in regulation.

The Cardinals hit a post on a shot attempt with 4:45 to play in the first half.

Bozarth had multiple quality chances to score in the second half. Winterset keeper Moses Hochstetler made an impressive save on a one-on-one opportunity against Bozarth in the 66th minute. A header from Bozarth six minutes later hit the crossbar, too.

“We just need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net consistently for us, and that’s what we’re missing this year,” Jensen said. “The stats say we’ve had a lot of corners and long throw-ins, but when we need to attack the ball and take a shot early, we put too many touches on it.”

The Cardinals are averaging less than one goal per match this season, but Winterset (3-12-1) has only scored 23 goals in 16 matches this spring.

Newton had a significant advantage in shots, and Javin Doland had to make only four saves to lock down the team’s third shutout of the season.

But one of those stops was a diving save with 6:10 to go in overtime to keep the contest scoreless.

Doland now has 201 saves, which ranks sixth in the state and second in 3A.

“I thought the game was over,” Jensen said. “The ball seemed to be going in slow motion, and it looked like it was going into the back of the net. He continues to be impressive. You can’t teach the shot stopping ability. His reaction time is unreal. I’m super proud of the kid.”

Winterset was shut out for the fourth time this season. Newton’s last two victories ended 1-0, and the Cardinals have scored one goal or less in 13 matches this year.

“Our defense was really great tonight after struggling against Fort Madison,” Jensen said. “They played really well. We had good opportunities on offense, but the mental side of the game about where to direct the ball just wasn’t there.”

The win over Winterset moves Newton to the substate semifinals where it faces No. 6 Indianola at 7 p.m. on May 27 in Indianola. The Indians defeated the Cardinals, 7-0, earlier this season during Little Hawkeye Conference play.

“We’ve definitely had our ups and downs. We just have to keep climbing,” Bozarth said. “It’s the playoffs. Anything can happen.”

Notes: The two teams played for the first time since 2016. Newton is 2-0 in the series. … Based on what he saw on film, Jensen knew the match against the Huskies wouldn’t be easy. But Newton defeated Boone 2-1 earlier this season and Winterset lost 8-1. The Huskies fell to Pella 3-1 before Newton lost 2-0, too. “They had some weird score lines against teams we also played, but watching film, I knew it was going to be a competitive game,” Jensen said. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.” … Another physical matchup led to Aiden Robson receiving a yellow card in the 48th minute.