Ravens Show Resilience in 1-0 Season Opener Loss to Burlington Notre Dame

April 4, 2025
Hillcrest Varsity 0 – Burlington Notre Dame 1
The Hillcrest Ravens opened the season dropping a close match to Burlington Notre Dame by a 0-1 score. In the first half both teams made it difficult for the offenses as both defenses played well. The Ravens back line of Bryce Bailey, Mason Helmuth, Lincoln Miller, and Isaac Birky, along with midfielders, Kale Bailey and Mason Bender did an excellent job, limiting Notre Dame to one shot in the opening half. Goalie Kyle Neuschwander contributed to the effort by cutting off several passes or crosses into the box before they could be turned into shots. On the offensive end, Seth Ours, Jesse Blossom, Micah Gerber, Isaac Beachy, along with Rowan Miller, worked hard throughout the match to create some scoring opportunities, but to no avail.

The second half continued much the same way, with both teams struggling to create chances. 17 minutes into the half, a Notre Dame player cut across the middle and fired in a shot from about 20 yards out and found the back of the net. The Ravens responded with a shift in formations to try to generate more offense but struggled to create a strong shot. In the last second,s the Ravens were awarded a direct kick just outside the penalty box but couldn’t get the kick taken before time expired. 

The Ravens host the Washington Demons next Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm.

Hillcrest Ravens JV 0 vs Burlington ND JV 3
In the first Hillcrest Ravens JV match in a few years, the young Ravens gained valuable experience in a 3-0 loss. After giving up three goals in the first half, the Ravens held Notre Dame scoreless in the second half.