Decked out in bright orange jerseys and charcoal-colored caps, Valley’s boys soccer team lined up in front of the net for a team picture.

Two players held up the Iowa high school soccer state championship banner; another placed the trophy front and center. And one more player leaned a cellphone against the base of the award.

On the screen of that phone, Alexander Mirsky smiled.

The Tigers' senior midfielder missed the Class 4A championship game – in which Valley defeated Johnston, 3-0, for the title – on June 6. He spent the day in the hospital, being treated for and recovering from a broken leg suffered in the semifinal match the previous day.

And he wasn’t the only player that Valley went without in the biggest game of the year. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puz

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