Iowa high school girls state soccer tournament 2024: Predicting champions in all 3 classes

It’s nearly time for the Iowa high school girls soccer state tournament.

After several weeks jam-packed with action – and substate competition briefly interrupted by severe weather – 24 teams from across the state and three classes will converge on Des Moines, in hopes of winning a state title.

Which teams are capable of an upset?

Are there any teams that could pull off a repeat?

Which players are the difference makers for their program?

We answer those questions and more in this breakdown of each state title race. Here are our championship predictions for the Iowa girls soccer state tournament.

Class 3A: Pleasant Valley (16-2)

This first prediction isn’t very original, coming down to the No. 1 seed versus the No. 2 seed in the title game. From freshmen to seniors, top-seeded Waukee Northwest’s roster boasts several impact makers, like Ayrissa Robinson and Karly Boatman.

The Wolves outscored their last three opponents 30-0, with lots of help from Victoria Spahn, who has allowed just eight goals past her this season.

But it just seems like this is Pleasant Valley’s title to lose. The Spartans feature the leading scorer in 3A, Morgan Russmann, who found the back of the net 47 times. Even with the leading scorer, it seems to be a true team effort for Pleasant Valley. There are three players – Joanah Jepsen, Bria Martell and Russmann – with 10 or more assists.

Add in goaltender Maddy Huber, who’s allowed just 12 goals all season and compiled a 90.1 save percentage, and Pleasant Valley has all the championship pieces.

Runner-up: Waukee Northwest (15-2)

Class 2A: Dallas Center-Grimes (15-3)

There is a reason no team in 2A beat North Polk this season. The Comets know how to spread out the scoring. Five players – Abby Bell, Addison Flinn, Avery Bird, Addi Ollendike and Regan Boelman – have tallied more than 11 goals.

How do opponents slow down a team when they don’t know which player to limit? On top of that, North Polk’s defense made life a little easier on their goalies, who faced just 75 shots all year.

Dallas Center-Grimes only has one double-digit scorer – Kylie Knief – but several contributors could come up big when needed. The Mustangs freshman goaltender, Emyrson Torsky let in just nine goals in nearly 1,200 minutes played. The defense in front of her only allowed her to face 50 total shots on goal.

So, why do we think the No. 3-seeded Mustangs can beat top-seeded North Polk?

Well, the only loss the Comets have this season was a 4-0 defeat against Ankeny. Dallas Center-Grimes beat the Hawkettes, 3-2, early in the season. One common opponent isn’t always a deciding factor, but it is something to note when that common opponent is also a tournament qualifier in a larger class.

Runner-up: North Polk (17-1)

Class 1A: Hudson (15-2)

It’s no fun always picking the top-seeded teams, and some compelling teams in 1A aren't necessarily the highest seeds. So, let’s have some fun here.

No. 5 seed Huson is really intriguing. Senior Savannah Schneider and freshman Taylor Davis lead the way with over 30 goals each. Schneider added 25 assists and Davis recorded 16 helpers in addition to their scoring success.

The Pirates goalies faced a combined 158 shots on goal and allowed just seven to hit the back of the net, earning a combined 96.8 save percentage.

No. 1 seed Davenport Assumption has one nearly 30-goal scorer in Dru Dorsey and a defense that makes Maddy Nigey’s job slightly easier in goal. No. 2 Denver is in a similar situation, and the Cyclones did hand Hudson one of its two losses this season. Bishop Heelan is back in the tournament after winning the championship last year.

Those teams are more than capable of winning a title. But isn’t it a bit more fun to pick the underdog?

Runner-up: Denver (18-1)

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa high school girls soccer state tournament champion predictions