Washington’s Joe Smith battles Mid-Prairie’s Heath Schintler for possession of the ball.  Photo by KCII’s Nate Gonner

After spending the first week traveling to games in Wellman and Fairfield, the Washington Demon boys’ soccer team (1-1 overall; 0-1 Southeast) will have home field advantage for the first time this evening. The Demon boys’ soccer team hosts the Keokuk Chiefs (0-5 overall; 0-1 Southeast) in the second game of a Southeast Conference double header at Washington High School.

Washington began the conference season on Thursday against the Trojans, falling 4-2 in regulation. Senior Joe Smith contributed in both goals for the Demons, setting up freshman Andres Gutierrez’s first career goal in the first half. Smith would record his first goal of the spring in the match’s second half to round out the scoring for Washington.

Keokuk enters play tonight off their first victory of the spring. The Chiefs traveled to Mount Pleasant for a Southeast Conference battle on Thursday, and left town with a 3-2 victory over the Panthers. Prior to the game, the Chiefs had been outscored 18-1 and hadn’t scored a goal since their season opener on April 4 against Burlington.

The home opener for the Washington Demon boys’ soccer team kicks off at 6 p.m. this afternoon at Washington High School.