SOLON — The varsity Lady Spartans opened the 2024 soccer season with a pair of home wins over Regina Catholic and Mid-Prairie.
Solon 3 Regina Catholic 1
The Regals (from Iowa City) have been a historic season opening rival for many years and had an eight-year winning streak from 2012 to 2018. Since 2021 Solon now holds a 3-1 advantage in the series. The teams met in Spartan Stadium Monday on a cold, wet, and windy evening.
Solon outscored the Regals 2-1 in the first half and put the match away with an insurance goal in the second. Juniors Rose McAtee and Silvie Hendricks, and senior Tali Radcliffe produced the goals with a penalty kick (PK) for McAtee. Sophomore keeper Audrey Heineman allowed the one goal and made four saves.
“They graduated Grace Gaarde (who led the Regals with 45 goals last year) and I think they have a new keeper this year too, but it’s always a good beginning of the year rivalry,” said Coach Amanda Paulson. “They always come out hard and ready to play; and usually in miserable conditions because they’re the first team we play (in the regular season).
Solon 6 Mid-Prairie 0
Addi Greene, a junior forward/mid-fielder, opened up for Solon with a goal in the second minute and another with 5:11 left in the first half for a 2-0 lead. Tali Radcliffe, a senior forward/defender and captain, scored with 24:18 left in the second half to make it 3-0 and sparked a four-goal assault with junior midfielder Elena Swan scoring with 15:51 left, sophomore midfielder/forward Sophia Ortega scoring with three minutes remaining, and McAtee scoring about a minute later.
“They (the Golden Hawks) were definitely in it in the first half,” said Coach Paulson. “They’re always a team that comes out and is a little more physical, and historically we have to watch out to make sure we’re winning the 50/50 balls. But it was good to see that we were able to maintain our energy and our fitness through the end of the game and put some late ones in. We had a lot of shots on-frame, some I sure wish had gone in and made the score a bit higher, but overall I’m happy with our ball movement.”
The season so far
“It’s a great way to start and it really propels us into the rest of the season and it gives us a sense of accomplishment and positivity and energy,” the coach said. “You always want to win on your home turf and protect it.”
Upcoming events
Mount Vernon was set to visit in a varsity girl-boy doubleheader Tuesday after this edition had gone to press. The Mustangs entered the contest at 0-2 with a 4-3 loss to Anamosa and falling 1-0 to Prairie, Cedar Rapids.
Marion visits Thursday, April 4 with varsity at 5:30 p.m. and the JV to follow.
“Historically it’s a good match up,” the coach said. “That’s a loss we had last year that I wish we wouldn’t have so we’re looking to redeem ourselves from last season.”
Tuesday, April 9 – Varsity boy/girl doubleheader at Independence. Boys 5:00 p.m., girls to follow (7:00 p.m.)
Thursday, April 11 – Home girl-boy doubleheader vs. Center Point-Urbana. Girls at 5:30 p.m., boys to follow (7:30 p.m.)
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Addi Greene (7) boots in the first goal of last Thursday’s varsity match against Mid-Prairie. Greene, a junior, scored twice in the 6-0 win.