Pella’s boys soccer team qualified for their 5th ever state tournament in the sweltering heat Saturday, edging Fairfield 2-1.

Both teams were tied with under 14 minutes remaining in regulation, when Ethan Poulter extended his season school record of goals to 31 by finding the back of the net late, with Pella’s stellar defense holding on after. Joseph Bacon scored the 1st goal for Pella.

The Dutch last made the trip to the Cownie Sports Complex in 2013, when they placed 4th. Pella is the tournament’s No. 3 seed and will play against conference foe Newton in a rematch Thursday in the Class 2A State Quarterfinals at 2:35 p.m. in Des Moines.