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Iowa high school girls’ state soccer tournament moving to Ames in 2025
Iowa State and IGHSAU have 3-year deal beginning next spring with options to extend
Nathan Ford
Apr. 17, 2024 10:13 am
Iowa State University will host the Iowa high school girls’ state soccer tournament in 2025, 2026 and 2027, the athletics department and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced Wednesday.
The agreement has extension options after the initial three-year agreement, according to a news release.
ISU said next spring’s state quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at Lied and the Maple/Willow/Larch fields. The championship games will be at the Cyclone Sports Complex, where the Iowa State soccer team plays home games. The 2025 tournament is slated for June 2-7.
This spring’s state tournament is at Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines from May 28-June 1. The tournament moved to Des Moines in 2013 from Muscatine, the event’s original host since the IGHSAU began sanctioning soccer in 1998.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with Discover Ames and Iowa State University for our state girls’ soccer championship,” IGHSAU executive director Jean Berger said in a news release. “Kevin (Bourke) and his Discover Ames team are experienced hosts and the Iowa State facilities will provide a true championship experience for our teams. Ames and the Iowa Girl are a natural fit and we’re excited to see how together we can continue to grow and improve our tournament.”
The Cyclone Sports Complex has a natural grass field and seating for 1,500 fans. ISU said a new video board and sound system will be installed this year.
“We are proud that the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union selected Iowa State and the Ames community to host the state girls’ soccer championships, culminating with the championship games at the Cyclone Sports Complex, and we look forward to providing an outstanding experience for all of the teams that reach Ames for the championship rounds,” Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard said in a news release. “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our campus, facilities and community to visitors from all around the state, and we look forward to welcoming them throughout this championship event.”
The IGHSAU currently has three classifications in soccer.
The Iowa High School Athletic Association, which expanded to four classes in soccer last year, announced in January its boys’ state tournament semifinals and finals will move to Drake University this spring. The semifinals will be played May 31 at Drake Stadium and the new, 4,000-seat Mediacom Stadium, both synthetic turf fields. Mediacom Stadium, the home of Drake soccer, will host the championship games on June 1. The quarterfinals will remain at Cownie this year on May 29.
Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com