Prairie-River Ridge-Seneca soccer team continues to improve

On Thursday, Sept. 2, the Blackhawks travelled to Platteville High School to face the Platteville/Lancaster Hillmen for the Blackhawks’ first conference match of the fall 2021 season. 

The Hillmen came out fast, sending their speedy forwards for long runs and scoring first in the seventh and ninth minute. The Blackhawks regrouped and stepped it up with aggressive and tenacious play, slowing the Hillmen throughout the first half, for a half-time score of 3-0 in favor of the Hillmen.  

Throughout the evening, the Blackhawk defense was anchored by senior Justice Olmstead, juniors Creighton Groom and Trystan Nesvold, and sophomore Adam Anderson. The Blackhawk attack was tenacious, with shots on goal by senior Domonic Tanner, junior Noah Blackburn, sophomores Noah Pedretti and Lance Koresh, and freshman Owen Wagner. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks were unable to find the back of the net and the Hillmen continued to do so, leading to a final score of 8-0 in favor of the Hillmen. Junior goalkeeper Logan Higgins nabbed 20 saves for the evening.    

Following the varsity game, the Blackhawk Junior Varsity team took to the pitch for a 40-minute half and its first JV game of the season. The JV team played with passion and effort, and junior Trystan Nesvold connected for a goal mid-half. 

The Hillmen likewise were fired up and ultimately scored four, resulting in a 4-1 loss for the JV Blackhawks.  

Notable performances were provided by Ben Knap and Jacob Payne on defense, Jackson Smelzer and Jackson Perkins in the midfield, and Tanner Kilburg in goal.  

Although the games ended in losses for the Blackhawks, the Blackhawks are energized by the many good runs and balls played, the innumerable solid tackles, and the significant improvement from last year.