2 goals by Gordy Gurson have Cedar Rapids Rampage United on cusp of division crown

CEDAR RAPIDS — Eight is great for the Cedar Rapids Rampage United, but a division title would be better.

Forward Gordy Gurson scored two goals as the professional outdoor soccer club won its eighth Premier League of America match in a row, 3-0, over Aurora Borealis (2-6-1) before 587 fans Saturday night at Kingston Stadium.

'We're really fighting for that first seed this season,' Gurson said. 'We believe that we can bring that division trophy and the championship trophy of the tournament (to Cedar Rapids), as well. We're going for as many as we can. … I think it was good that we took care of business tonight. Hopefully we can just keep it rolling.'

Gurson leads first-place Cedar Rapids (8-0-0, 24 points) with 10 goals this season, while goalkeeper Piotr Sliwa posted the fourth shutout of the year on defense.

The Rampage United can clinch the PLA West Division with a win Friday at the defending league champion Milwaukee Bavarians (7-1-0, 21). The West Division champion will play the East runner-up in a PLA championship tournament semifinal July 29 in Glendale, Wis.

The Rampage United defeated the Bavarians, 1-0, at Kingston on June 17.

'The Bavarians are going to come strong because they are playing at home,' Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'We're not going to change our system. We're going to play the same way that we normally play. We're going to have to continue to defend well.'

A trio of area natives also turned in notable performances. Midfielders Jacob Johnson (Cedar Rapids Washington, Coe) and Alejandro Pacheco (Iowa City High) each assisted Gurson goals sandwiched around halftime within 18 minutes of each other .

'It was good momentum coming in in the second half,' Gurson said. 'All we had to do was keep a clean sheet and the game was ours.'

Cedar Rapids Prairie graduate Logan Rinderknecht was credited with his third goal in two games when he blocked a strike from Aurora Borealis goalkeeper Eduardo Sandoval back into the net in the 64th minute.

'The good thing about Logan, he doesn't give up a lot of balls that other players give up,' Moreira said.

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

Cedar Rapids Rampage United 3, Aurora Borealis 0

Goals — Gordy Gurson 2, Logan Rinderknecht 1. Assists —

Jacob Johnson 1, Alejandro Pacheco 1.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com