Prairie edges Xavier behind Loera's goal

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Prairie has rediscovered its early season success just in time for the postseason with a heavy dose of effort and a stingy keeper in the net.Junior Juan Loera scored his fourth goal of the season nearly nine minutes into the second half, and Prairie goalkeeper Adam Kueny ensured that held up by posting his ninth shutout this season Thursday as Class 3A No. 5 Prairie edged 2A No. 2 Cedar Rapids Xavier, 1-0, in boys' soccer at Xavier.“(Kueny) has been a key to us and our success all season,” Prairie coach Curt Lewis said. “He's worked extremely hard in the off-season to be the number one keeper and stay the number one keeper.”Kueny withstood constant pressure from Xavier strikers in each half, highlighted by a frenetic two-and-a-half minute surge midway through the second when he deflected a header with his left hand and lunged for diving deflections on both sides of the net.“They just keep throwing it right in the box, and if we don't clear it they'll score,” Kueny said.The loss denied Xavier (9-5, 8-5 MVC) the opportunity to clinch a share of the MVC's Valley Division title. The win was the fourth in five games for Prairie (13-5, 8-5 MVC). After an 8-0 start propelled them to the top of the 3A rankings, Prairie lost four of the next five.“You know we're young, we're inexperienced, but we play hard,” Lewis said. “When we were losing in that stretch, we weren't playing hard. I don't think it got to our head that we were number one, but I think we got a little bit complacent and forgot our style of soccer.”Both teams have a bye before beginning substate play at home Wednesday.