Prairie soccer tops Iowa City West on the road

IOWA CITY — Prairie came into Tuesday's boys soccer match at Iowa City West with an impressive 5-0 record and a gaudy 40-0 scoring advantage over its opponents. But skeptics still wondered about the Hawks given their less-than-stellar level of competition.

Those who wanted red meat got it Tuesday in the form of a 2-0 Prairie victory over the defending state champions. It was the first time West lost at Barker Field since its opening three years ago.

'They've smacked us around a couple times on this field,' Prairie Coach Curt Lewis said. 'We are really happy right now.'

Prairie's first goal came with about four minutes left in the half. Freshman Nolan Schulte scored from 40 yards out when the keeper slipped trying to corral the bounce.

West substituted goalies two minutes later with Jack Chen replacing Zach Frisbie. Prairie's Jojuan Simpson added the second goal less than a minute later from inside the box.

'Within 30 seconds we had a shot and scored, so you couldn't ask for a better situation or response,' Lewis said.

Prairie came in having shut out five opponents and did so again with excellent back-line play in front of goalie Alec Balta. West had its chances, particularly in the first half, but the Hawks kept their poise and always had someone in position to repel the threat.

'Seth (Rinderknecht) and Boston (Riley) do a great job for us,' Lewis said. 'Peyton (Helgeson) and Joe (Vizzini) were probably unknowns for us coming into the season. To come down here and shut these guys out, it's awesome.'

'We work together and we talk and just communicate,' Rinderknecht said. 'We all have a feel for each other. Balta's been here for a couple years and bringing a new freshman into the back line (Riley) has been great.'

Prairie played all-in defense in the second half particularly the latter stages.

'The second half we just dropped it in because they are a great team and they know how to score goals,' Balta said. 'We man marked and dropped it in and locked the goal up tight.

'My defense has made my job so easy. They are incredible this year. I barely have to do anything.'

Trojan Coach Brad Stiles was disappointed in the effort.

'Just not a lot of urgency from these guys tonight,' he said. 'I haven't found a way to get through, to push their buttons yet. We have to get the energy levels up. I think that's the biggest difference that I've seen from years past is just the desire to want to go and win a ball, to complete a pass.'

West fell to 1-3 MVC, 3-4 overall. Prairie is 4-0, 6-0 and atop the Mississippi division.