Benton Community 4 Solon 3
The Bobcats visited Tuesday, April 23 and handed the Spartans their third consecutive loss. Eli Freerks, a senior, put in two of Solon’s goals with one from senior Josiah Hale. Freerks had three shots on goal with two apiece by Hale and senior Bryan Petrie and one from junior Evan Burg. Zander Stookey, a junior, made five saves while allowing four goals in the 80-minute contest.
Solon 4 Grinnell 2
It took 100 minutes and a penalty kick shootout to settle Thursday’s varsity match between the Spartans and Tigers. Bryan Petrie, Eli Freerks, Josiah Hale, and Elliot Sutton scored in the shootout for the win.
“There’s been a lot of close matches that we should’ve won but this one is going to help us bounce back,” said Coach Eyasu Russell. “I’ve told them all season long they have the potential to play as a team and tonight was a testament to that.” Russell said the team practices penalty kick scenarios frequently, so was up to the challenge. “We’ve been in this scenario twice now. It’s not something we want to do but going forward. We’d rather win it (in regular time) and not play an extra 20 minutes, but when you get a win like this, it’s a huge boost to the team so we’ll take it.” The Spartans improved to 4-7 on the season with the split, and Coach Russel said the goal now is to at least hit the .500 mark. “At this point we’re just trying to prove to other teams that we’re competitive, and we do belong in the league compared to what our record shows.”
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, May 2 – At West Delaware HS. Varsity girls at 4:30 p.m. with varsity boys to follow.
Saturday, May 4 – Boys varsity invitational at Davenport North HS.
Monday, May 6 – HOME vs. Vinton-Shellsburg. Varsity at 5:30 p.m. with JV to follow.
Thursday, May 9 – At Beckman Catholic. Varsity girls at 5:30 p.m. with varsity boys to follow. NOTE: Match was originally scheduled for home but moved due to State Qualifying Track Meet being hosted by Solon.
WaMaC East Standings (4-26-24)
Conf. Overall
Marion 7-0 8-2
CPU 4-2 5-3
Independence 2-3 2-6
Solon 2-4 4-7
Mt. Vernon 1-4 3-7
W. Delaware 0-7 2-9
Zander Stookey grabs the ball and foils Grinnell’s Nolan McFarland in a WaMaC East vs. WaMaC West battle Thursday, April 25 at home.