2 goals from Prairie alum Logan Rinderknecht rescues Cedar Rapids Rampage United

CEDAR RAPIDS — The west stands of Kingston Stadium were packed and the visiting team brought just 12 soccer players.

Recipe for a rout, perhaps? Well, things were pretty dicey early for the Cedar Rapids Rampage United, until a familiar Metro face came to the rescue.

Former Cedar Rapids Prairie player Logan Rinderknecht broke a second-half tie with his first two goals of the season as the undefeated Rampage United turned away the Croatian Eagles, 3-1, in a Premier League of America match Saturday night before a record crowd of 1,596 fans.

'It's been unbelievable, these guys are so welcoming when I got here,' Rinderknecht said. 'It's just like another family. It's great being back here in Cedar Rapids and being able to play in front of your home crowd. Being able to put two in here against a record audience, it's amazing.'

The club held its 'Fan Appreciation Night,' which featured free admission and the attendees witnessed a breakthrough performance from one if its native sons. Rinderknecht, 20, is playing forward with the Rampage United this summer in order to stay sharp for his junior soccer season this fall with NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Platteville.

In three seasons at Prairie (2013-15), Rinderknecht tallied 40 goals and 21 assists and closed his prep career with first-team honors in the Mississippi Valley Conference and the Hawks' first appearance in the boys' soccer state tournament in 2015. Rinderknecht was a second-team all-state selection in 2014 as a junior.

College players are allowed to compete in the PLA provided they are not financially compensated.

'Logan has been bringing a lot of speed to the game,' Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'His technical ability is great and his work ethic is fantastic. He's a great kid.'

Founded in 1922, the Milwaukee-based Croatian Eagles (1-2-3) lay claim to the title of oldest soccer club in North America. Clearly undermanned – only one reserve traveled with the team – it did not hinder an early opportunity as Indiana University's Josh Lipe-Melton corralled an arching bouncer for a strike past the Cedar Rapids defense in the eighth minute.

Rampage United forward Gordy Gurson scored his team-high eighth goal off an assist from Bobby Hurwitz four minutes later, but it was midway through the second half before Cedar Rapids claimed its first lead with a Rinderknecht header in the 63rd minute.

'Bobby, Gordy and I, we worked our way down the field and stayed composed,' Rinderknecht said. 'We did our thing. Gordy slid off to Bobby and Bobby had it right to me. It was an easy finish for me.'

With six minutes left in the match, Rindernecht provided the Rampage United with some coveted insurance when he sped past the Eagles' defense, fielded an assist from Sam Guernsey and drilled his second goal of the game.

'Guernsey saw me coming down the line and their back line was stepping up a little bit,' Rinderknecht said. 'Having a finish there just tops the night.'

Cedar Rapids (7-0-0, 21 points) — which has clinched a berth in the PLA championship tournament July 29-30 in Wisconsin — remains in first place in the West Division and returns to Kingston Stadium July 15 against Aurora Borealis (2-4-1).

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

Cedar Rapids Rampage United 3, Croatian Eagles 1

Goals — CR: Gordy Gurson, Logan Rinderknecht 2; CE: Josh Lipe-Melton. Assists — CR:

Bobby Hurwitz 2, Sam Guernsey.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com