Large senior class honored at soccer banquet

With 10 senior soccer players and a coaching crew who has been around the game for some time, the Creston boys soccer program surged in a measurable way this spring.

A year removed for a three-win campaign, Creston went 8-9 and found itself in tight matchups with several strong Hawkeye 10 and non-conference opponents.

On a level of playing competitive ball against good competition, Creston was a step ahead of 2017.

“We definitely had a great one (season), head coach Lucian Diaconu said at Wednesday’s soccer banquet in the Creston High School Commons. “A lot of progress when compared with last season.”

The 10 Creston seniors were Landon Guhse, Ben Irr, Patrick Normandeau, Trevor Marlin, Brenden McDowell, Tyler Peters, Peres Reed, Dawson Smith, Isaac Wignall and Gavin Woods.

Gavin Woods and Ben Irr were two of the consistent athletes in the program over their varsity careers.

The two combined to account for 172 points over their careers and both will play soccer for Wartburg College in Waverly in the fall.

Fellow senior Reed will play collegiate soccer at Graceland University.

Dedication to the game was a driving force behind Creston’s improvement this spring.

Both coach Lucian Diaconu, who will depart the program, and assistant coach Bob Irr, whose time with CHS soccer has come to a close as well, lauded the work ethic of this year’s team.

Irr has been a staple of Creston soccer over the years and had a large hand in the creation and advancement of Wildfire youth soccer in Creston.

The attitude surrounding the team was better in years past.

“We’ve been through goods and bads. We’ve stayed together as a team and also as a family,” Diaconu said.

“Family is the word for breakdown because they have that in their soul.”

Creston’s goal margin this season was plus-10 at 42-32. That comes after scoring only 18 and surrendering 60 in 2016.

The Panthers defeated several teams that had beaten them in 2016.

Close games against strong foes impressed the coaches.

“We played three teams that went to state this year (St. Albert, Winterset and Gilbert) and we were competitive against all of them,” Bob Irr said.

Another highlight this season was the team winning its home tournament in which Creston defeated Clarinda Academy and Riverside.

Despite losing 10 seniors, Creston returns a core of players with varsity experience. A total of 25 players earned varsity experience this season, including a handful of starters.

Diaconu thanks parents, the players for their hard work and the opportunity to work with them.

The coach will move on to the Ames area with his family.

“Lucian is a great person,” Bob Irr said. “The community is losing a really special part of the community and a great teacher, and we’re going to miss you.”

The seniors presented the coaching staff with a picture from when the team won its home tournament.

Letterwinners — Seniors — Ben Irr 4, Gavin Woods 4, Isaac Wignall 3, Trevor Marlin 2, Patrick Normandeau 2, Tyler Peters 2, Peress Reed 2, Dawson Smith 2. Brenden McDowell 1, Landon Guhse 1. Juniors — Evan Jacobson 3, Cole Higgins 2, Kelby Luther 2. Sophomores — Matthew Borha 2, Jade Conley 2, Austin Nguyen 2, Lee Normandeau 2, Payton Pryor 2, Dale Boyer 1. Freshman — Devin Baker 1, Ayden Filer 1, Isaac Jacobson 1, Spencer Lane 1, Rylan Luther 1, Logan Shady 1.

Hawkeye 10 All-Academic — Ben Irr, Brenden McDowell, Dawson Smith, Isaac Wignall, Gavin Woods.

All-Hawkeye 10 Conference — 1st team: Ben Irr, 2nd team: Gavin Woods, Honorable Mention: Evan Jacobson.

Conditioning award — Kelby Luther

Defender of the year — Cole Higgins

Most versatile player — Evan Jacobson

Determination award — Trevor Marlin

Ambidexterity award — Patrick Normandeau

Leadership award — Isaac Wignall

Dedication award — Dawson Smith

2014-2017 MVP — Ben Irr

Top goal scorers — Gavin Woods 16, Ben Irr 7, Evan Jacobson 6, Brenden McDowell 4, Matthew Borham 3, Cole Higgins 2, Peres Reed 2, Kelby Luther 1, Lee Normandeau 1.

Top assists — Ben Irr 10, Gavin Woods 4, Evan Jacobson 4, Isaac Wignall 2, Kelby Luther 2, Brenden McDowell 2, Peres Reed 2, Trevor Marlin 1, Tyler Peters 1, Patrick Normandeau 1.

Most saves — Payton Pryor 64, Ayden Filer 25.