CEDAR FALLS — Cedar Falls did not lack for confidence after posting a 3-1 win over Waterloo West on Thursday.
Surrounded by a group of his teammates, Tigers senior Ian O’Loughlin explained what made Cedar Falls so confident after improving to 4-3 on the season with a win over the rival Wahawks.
“Chemistry — we have known each other, we have been playing with each other, for years,” O’Loughlin said. “I have been playing with some of these guys since I was six. So, we have chemistry, and it is showing on the field.”
The gallery, reacting in real time, echoed O’Loughlin’s comments.
“Yes sir!” one Tigers teammate exclaimed.
“We have a good team!” another added.
“[There is] nothing to lose to be honest,” O’Loughlin said. “We have to get out there. We have to get wins. We have to stack it up. And, we have to make state. That has been the goal.”
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According to Cedar Falls head coach Aldin Muhamedagic, a new formation and a renewed focus on finishing scoring chances has helped bolster his team’s confidence.
“This year we have been doing a lot of different things in practice,” Muhamedagic said. “We are focusing a lot on finishing in the attacking third … Making sure that we do everything to push that through for us. Last year, we lagged in scoring chances, but, this year, we have picked up a little bit more.”
The combination of confidence, focus and formation continued to pay dividends for O’Louhglin, who scored seven goals as a sophomore in 2022, but was limited to nine games and two goals in 2023 due to a hamstring injury.
On Thursday, the senior opened the win over the Wahawks with a goal — his seventh of the season — on a penalty kick in the first 10 minutes of action, tucking a shot in the lefthand corner of the West cage.
“Everyone on the field knew I was going to make,” O’Loughlin said. “It was a guarantee once it went to the spot. It was just — I felt it, knew it was going in.
“We are back. We are better than ever and it is showing.”
Despite O’Loughlin’s early strike, the Tigers failed to expand their lead before halftime as West looked for an equalizer.
The Wahawks managed to create a scramble in front of the Cedar Falls net in the 30th minute before the Tigers managed to clear the ball out of harm’s way.
A few minutes later, West junior Aziz Salihovic put a well-struck free kick on net, arcing from the right wing to the left corner. Cedar Falls goalkeeper Brayden Frey managed to get enough of the shot to send it over net and out of bounds.
Muhamedagic praised Frey’s improvement after stepping in for an injured Ethan Beneke.
“He has been spot on,” Muhamedagic said. “Brayden stepped up into his shoes pretty good. We have been pretty happy. He has been working hard with his teammates. It shows improvements game-by-game. His decision-making process is spot on.”
Frey made three saves in the win.
During halftime, Muhamedagic said he challenged his team to regain control of the game in the second half.
“I was very firm with the guys,” Muhamedagic said. “I asked them to start dominating the game a little bit more. We have to possess the midfield and make sure that we can control it.”
West managed one more strong scoring chance to open the second half before Cedar Falls senior Mateo Scacco doubled the Tigers’ lead with his second goal of the season midway through the second half.
Freshman Elvin Bajrektarevic made it 3-0 Cedar Falls, potting a goal off a corner kick from Diego Bayardo Gonzalez.
With just under 10 minutes to play, West sophomore Aidin Bajramovic cut Cedar Falls’ lead to 3-1, sneaking behind the Tigers defense before powering a shot by Frey.
West head coach Mike Penning highlighted the Wahawks relentless effort despite their three-goal deficit, but also noted West’s missed opportunities.
“I was real proud of how they worked all 80 minutes and did not give up,” Penning said. “They are going to be super frustrated. They are not happy. CF is a big rival for them. To really work hard the whole time is a testament to them. I just enjoy being around these guys every single day.
“Soccer is a crazy sport sometimes. Sometimes, you can score on half chances and other times you have some really good chances, and you are just not able to. We just have to find a way to finish some of those chances.”