WASHINGTON HANDS HILLCREST FIRST LOSS OF BOYS’ SOCCER SEASON

Hillcrest 1, Washington 3

The Ravens traveled to class 3A Washington and though playing well, had their first loss 1-3. In the opening minutes of the match the Ravens created three good chances to score but failed to capitalize on the opportunities. Washington stepped up their play, scoring off a set piece 12 minutes into the match and adding a second goal five minutes later. After some adjustments the defense settled in keeping Washington from scoring the rest of the half for a 0-2 halftime score. 

The second half was much the same as the back line of Bryce Bailey, Mason Helmuth, Isaac Birky, Lincoln Miller, along with Kale Bailey stymied Washington’s offense. Defensive mids- Jesse Blossom and Mason Bender contributed to the defensive effort along with goalie Kyle Neuschwander who recorded nine saves during the match. In the last five minutes Washington scored off a corner kick as the ball landed in a scrum before a Washington player poked it into the net. 

The Ravens responded stringing together several good passes when Mason Bender got the ball to Seth Ours who curled his shot into the upper corner of the goal. 

Hillcrest, now 7-1 overall and 5-0 in conference, faces three crucial conference matchups in the coming week, hosting Highland, Monday, Mediapolis – Tuesday, and finishing with Columbus Thursday. 

Title and below article credit: Nathan Gerdts/KCII
The Washington Demons ended Hillcrest Academy’s undefeated season in boys’ soccer with a 3-1 victory over the Ravens Saturday at Washington Wellness Park. Against a Hillcrest team that had allowed only two goals all season, Washington struck twice in a five-minute span in the first half.

Demon senior Lane Schrock curled in a 25-yard strike with some help from a stiff breeze for the game’s first goal in the 12th minute, then Bill De La Rosa scored on a feed from fellow senior Angel Mata in the 17th minute to expand the lead to where it would stay by halftime at 2-0.

After a mostly scoreless second half, De La Rosa would put the finishing touches on a Washington victory by finishing off a corner kick from senior Isaac Gentry in the 76th minute for his second goal of the match.

Seth Ours would get the Ravens on the board after an assist from fellow junior Mason Bender with 90 seconds to play, but it would not be enough to help Hillcrest preserve their 7-0 start to the season.

Read more at https://www.kciiradio.com/2024/04/29/washington-hands-hillcrest-first-loss-of-boys-soccer-season/.