Des Moines Hoover High School’s boys soccer team got a picture-perfect ending to its season, rallying from behind to beat Norwalk 4-3 in the Class 3A final on June 5. Ombe Simbi scored the go-ahead goal before Esanda Kilozo delivered the game-winner, sealing an emotional victory for a team bound by more than just soccer, and capturing the school’s and the Des Moines Public School District’s first boys state soccer championship. Eighteen of the 26 varsity players on the team are refugees. The Huskies are made up of players from many backgrounds, speaking several languages, but on the field, they found common ground. For Simbi and Kilozo, both originally from Congo, the win reflected a journey that began long before the final whistle.Both came to the United States in fifth grade and said adjusting to life in America was difficult. “It was very hard, especially not knowing the language and stuff — the language barrier,” Kilozo said. Simbi said, “It was hard for me because I didn’t know English, so I was just quiet.”That transition began to change when teachers recognized their talent and love for soccer, connecting them with Alison Hoeman, director of Des Moines Refugee Support. “Our goal is to find and bridge gaps for refugees in central Iowa,” Hoeman said.One of the organization’s key efforts is Success Through Soccer, a program designed to connect refugee students with extracurricular activities. For Kilozo, the sport became more than a game. “It’s like my second family, actually, because when I first came here, I had nobody at all,” he said. Hoeman said the program helps students build friendships across cultural lines: “We’ve actually seen kids who, otherwise, like, maybe their cultures wouldn’t necessarily mesh, and they’re teammates. And so, they’re awesome friends with each other.”Now, Simbi and Kilozo hope to play soccer in college, encouraged by the support they have received on and off the field. “She’s amazing because she helped me join the club, pay for my fee, helped me travel to a different state that I’ve never been to,” Simbi said of Hoeman. Still, Hoeman said the message remains clear: “They always know that school is your job and soccer’s your reward.”» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Des Moines Hoover High School’s boys soccer team got a picture-perfect ending to its season, rallying from behind to beat Norwalk 4-3 in the Class 3A final on June 5.

Ombe Simbi scored the go-ahead goal before Esanda Kilozo delivered the game-winner, sealing an emotional victory for a team bound by more than just soccer, and capturing the school’s and the Des Moines Public School District’s first boys state soccer championship.

Eighteen of the 26 varsity players on the team are refugees. The Huskies are made up of players from many backgrounds, speaking several languages, but on the field, they found common ground.

For Simbi and Kilozo, both originally from Congo, the win reflected a journey that began long before the final whistle.

Both came to the United States in fifth grade and said adjusting to life in America was difficult.

“It was very hard, especially not knowing the language and stuff — the language barrier,” Kilozo said.

Simbi said, “It was hard for me because I didn’t know English, so I was just quiet.”

That transition began to change when teachers recognized their talent and love for soccer, connecting them with Alison Hoeman, director of Des Moines Refugee Support.

“Our goal is to find and bridge gaps for refugees in central Iowa,” Hoeman said.

One of the organization’s key efforts is Success Through Soccer, a program designed to connect refugee students with extracurricular activities.

For Kilozo, the sport became more than a game.

“It’s like my second family, actually, because when I first came here, I had nobody at all,” he said.

Hoeman said the program helps students build friendships across cultural lines: “We’ve actually seen kids who, otherwise, like, maybe their cultures wouldn’t necessarily mesh, and they’re teammates. And so, they’re awesome friends with each other.”

Now, Simbi and Kilozo hope to play soccer in college, encouraged by the support they have received on and off the field.

“She’s amazing because she helped me join the club, pay for my fee, helped me travel to a different state that I’ve never been to,” Simbi said of Hoeman.

Still, Hoeman said the message remains clear: “They always know that school is your job and soccer’s your reward.”

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» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play