The Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union soccer team huddles up before Saturday’s Class 1A Substate 6 soccer match against Albia. Photo by KCII’s Sally Hart.

For a second time in program history, the Columbus/Winfield Mount Union Wildcats (17-1 overall) are three games away from a state championship. The quarterfinal round of the Class 1A soccer tournament begins this afternoon in Des Moines as the No. 6 seeded Wildcats battle the No. 3 seeded Kuemper Catholic Knights (16-2 overall) of Carroll.

A key in Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union’s journey to the state tourney has been the play of their defense. The Wildcats have posted 14 shutouts in the 18 matches they’ve played, second only to No. 1 seeded Beckman, Dyersville (19-0 overall), who has recorded 15 shutouts. Winfield-Mount Union senior Warren Krieger-Coble has made 56 stops in net, a save percentage of 86 percent.

The Wildcats’ offense has done it’s part as well, scoring 74 goals. Columbus/Winfield Mount Union has the top three goal scorers in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference. Junior Eric Canterero has scored 30 goals, overtaking the school record for most goals in a single season Saturday in a 3-0 victory over Albia. His pair of second half goals versus the Blue Demons helped him surpass Alex Cruz’s 2014 record of 29 goals. Senior Diego Sanchez is second in the conference, depositing 14 goals into the back of the net. Junior Ruben Paz, last year’s leading goal scorer, has tallied nine goals.

The Knights enter today’s quarterfinal round having won 13 matches in a row. Senior Ben Vonnahme leads Kuemper Catholic in goals scored with 22. Junior Timothy Sibbel has made 116 saves in the net, defending 91 percent of the shots on goal.

The winner will advance to Friday’s semifinal round against the winner of No. 2 Gladbrook-Reinbeck/No. 7 Underwood. Kickoff is set for 12:15 p.m. Live play by play coverage from field No. 8 of the James C. Cownie Soccer Complex will begin with the pregame show at 11:45 p.m. on AM 1380, FM 102.5 and KCIIRadio.com.