DES MOINES - Kennedy junior soccer player Gabe Christianson said he will graduate two trimesters early and enroll in college, meaning his high school soccer career ended after the Cougars' 5-1 loss to West Des Moines Valley on Thursday in the first round of the boys state tournament.

“I will be going to Northern Illinois University,” Christianson said. “I am really excited about it.”

Christianson was second on the team with 15 goals and led the team with 26 assists in his only season in the Kennedy green and gold.

Christianson is planning on studying business at Northern Illinois and he said that the academics at Northern Illinois played a big role in his decision.

“I felt it was a great fit, both soccer-wise and academically,” he said. “They have a great business program, I would love to go into the business school. It just feels like home.”

Gabe’s older brother, senior Garet Christianson, has signed to play at Eastern Illinois.

“It should be pretty fun,” Gabe said. “We will be playing each other and get a little brotherly rivalry going."