CENTER POINT– It was a test and the Spartans passed.
Solon’s varsity boys spent extra time on the pitch last week, tackling back-to-back road soccer matches at Williamsburg and Center Point-Urbana.
It took two overtimes to defeat the Raiders, 1-0, Monday, May 3, and two overtimes plus a 5-4 shoot-out to come away with a 2-1 victory over the Stormin’ Pointers a day later.
Both winning scores came off the foot of junior Owen Erusha.
“Two big wins came from Owen this last week,” Solon Head Coach Jeremy McMurrin noted.
Erusha scored about halfway through the second, 10-minute overtime at Williamsburg on a shot outside the box off an assist by junior William Wittich, McMurrin reported.
“Finally, the patience paid off,” he said. “We got one in.”
It was a frustrating day against the Raiders.
“They were very, very defensive,” McMurrin said. “They pretty much just sat in, played low pressure, they didn’t really look to go forward very often.”
The Spartans controlled the ball most of the game.
Solon launched 39 shots, 21 of them on goal, while Williamsburg was limited to five shots, two on goal.
Junior keeper John Peters collected two saves protecting the goal.
At Center Point the following evening, Solon gave up a penalty kick early and the Stormin’ Pointers took a 1-0 lead.
Senior Gabe Yetley responded for the Spartans with a goal on a corner kick for a 1-1 tie in the first period, but a long battle followed after that.
Solon still dictated much of the tempo and had three times as many shots on goal, but the second period and two overtimes ended without another score.
Wittich, Yetley, junior Nate Ferguson, junior Dillon Bruck and Erusha connected in the deciding shoot-out.
Peters notched five saves in goal.
It was survival of the fittest, McMurrin noted, for a team that returned one starter (Yetley) and one player with varsity experience (Wittich) after a 2020 season with no contests.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “They started out pretty good, got kind of a little reality check there from Regina and Beckman, which were back-to-back nights. But they’ve responded well for the most part. We’re getting the results now.
“Doesn’t have to be pretty,” he added.
Solon improved to 10-3.
After hosting Independence Tuesday, May 11, and welcoming Vinton-Shellsburg Friday, May 14, for Senior Night, the Spartans travel to Tiffin for a regular season finale against Clear Creek Amana Tuesday, May 18.
The postseason begins Thursday, May 20, with Solon assigned to Class 1A Substate 4. Second round games will be played on Monday, May 24, with the substate final set for Wednesday, May 26.
The 2021 State Soccer Tournament is scheduled for June 1, 3, and 5 at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.

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William Wittich battles for control of the ball during Solon’s varsity soccer win over Mount Vernon Thursday, April 29, at Spartan Stadium. Wittich had the lone assist in Solon’s win against Williamsburg May 3.