SOLON — The varsity Spartans closed out the regular season with a pair of wins last week as they shut out Vinton-Shellsburg 2-0 at home Monday, May 6 on Senior Night. Seniors Josiah Hale, Bryan Petrie, Braden Haugland, Eli Freerks, Coy O’Haver, Ethan Melloy, and Daniel Tearse were recognized before the match started. Freerks scored with 15 minutes left in the first half on an assist from sophomore Ryan Locke, then roughly three minutes later Freerks got the ball to Locke for the second goal.
Junior Zander Stookey made five saves in 80 minutes in the goal.
Spartans cut Beckman’s trail short
Due to Solon hosting a Class 3A state qualifying track meet the Thursday, May 9 non-conference match against the Beckman Catholic Trailblazers was moved to Beckman’s pitch in Dyersville. The Spartans won 4-2 with one goal apiece credited to junior Evan Burg, Freerks, and Locke (who also made one assist) while Elliot Sutton scored on a penalty kick. Stookey was kept busy in the goal with a dozen saves.
The win improved Solon to 8-9 overall heading into the postseason with eyes on a trip to the State Tournament in Des Moines.
Postseason play has begun
The Spartans blasted the New Hampton Chickasaws (2-8) 6-1 Monday evening at Vinton-Shellsburg in a 2A first round Substate match and travel to Center Point-Urbana (CPU) Monday, May 20 to face the 9-4 Stormin’ Pointers in the semifinals. The Substate Final is set for Wednesday, May 22 at a location to be determined. Vinton-Shellsburg (4-9) and West Delaware (2-12) also tangled Monday with the winner facing Aplington-Parkersburg (12-3) in the semifinals.
The 2024 State Tournament is set for Wednesday, May 29 (at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines), Friday, May 31 (at Drake Stadium and Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines), and Saturday, June 1 at Mediacom Stadium.
WaMaC East standings
Conf. Overall
Marion 10-1 11-4
CPU 8-3 9-4
Solon 4-4 8-9
Mt. Vernon 4-5 7-8
Independence 2-7 2-12
W. Delaware 0-10 2-12
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Ryan Locke (33) congratulates Eli Freerks (16) on scoring against Vinton-Shellsburg last Monday on Senior Night. Freerks’s goal came on an assist from Locke. Shortly after Freerks fed the ball to Locke, who scored for a 2-0 win.