Raven boys stop Huskies to start season; Girls start season 2-0

Raven boys stop Huskies to start season; Girls start season 2-0

Freshman, Lincoln Miller passes to sophomore, Seth Ours. In the game, Miller had an assist and Ours had a goal.

Hillcrest Soccer 4.6.2023  
Vs Cedar Valley Christian

A young Hillcrest Academy team opened its 2023 soccer season with a 3-1 win over Cedar Valley Christian. The win was built on a solid defensive effort led by the back line of Grant Bender, Bryce Bailey and Mason Helmuth, along with Mason Bender and Isaac Lybeck. 

Though Hillcrest put a lot of pressure on the goal, finding the net was a bit difficult as the group of inexperienced 9th and 10th graders created pressure but had a hard time finishing. Twelve minutes in the game, Rowan Miller collected a pass in Cedar Valley’s goalie box, but was quickly upended by the goalie resulting in a penalty kick. Senior Grant Bender stepped forward and calmly hit the pk for the 1-0 lead. Cedar Valley equalized late in the first half after a miscue on a clearance for the 1-1 halftime lead. 

The game proceeded in much the same way the second half as Hillcrest created pressure and good shots but couldn’t quite find the back of the net. Fourteen minutes into the half, Owen Scott sent the ball forward to Lincoln Miller who got the next pass to Rowan Miller who sent the ball into the far corner of the net and the two one lead. 

Minutes later, Isaac Lybeck touched the ball to Seth Ours who notched his first goal of the season for the 3-1 score.  Kyle Neuschwander, was in goal tallying one save.

Below Articles submitted by Zach Ulin, KCII
RAVENS STOP HUSKIES TO START SEASON
The Hillcrest Academy boys soccer team started the season by protecting their home pitch Thursday with a 3-1 win over visiting Cedar Valley Christian in Kalona. Hillcrest took the lead when Rowan Miller was taken down in the box by the CVC keeper, midway through the first, leading to a Grant Bender PK chance that he cashed in to make the score 1-0 Ravens. The Huskies would answer with a goal late in the half to even the score at one going to the break. In the second half, the chances kept coming for the Ravens. In the 54th minute, it was a Miller to Miller combo when Lincoln found Rowan to give Hillcrest the lead for good at 2-1. Six minutes later, Isaac Lybeck connected with Seth Ours who drilled a shot to the back of the net for insurance, putting the Ravens ahead by the final 3-1 score. 

Read more: HERE.

HAWKS STIFLE WILDCATS, START SEASON 2-0
(Hillcrest and MP have a shared women’s soccer program)

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk girls soccer team made it back-to-back wins to start the year with a 1-0 shut out of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union on the road Thursday. The Hawks found the back of the net in the 25th minute when Paityn Jennings made the throw in assist to Elise Gingerich to beat the ‘Cats’ keeper. That’s where the score stood at half.

Read more: HERE.