The first live action on the pitch for the Hillcrest Academy Ravens in more than two years happens this afternoon when they travel to Fort Madison for a scrimmage with the Bloodhounds.
The last time the Ravens were on the field was at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines as they made their second straight trip to the state tournament and were eliminated in the quarterfinals. That edition of the Ravens was 12-5 overall and did not allow a goal during their pre-state tournament run, outscoring Grandview Christian, Clarke of Osceola and Solon by a combined 7-0. Louis Etienne led the offense with 25 goals, fellow senior Jacob Boller was second on the team with 10. On defense, Hillcrest keeper Blake Bontrager made 91 saves and the Ravens surrendered just 24 goals in 17 matches. Bontrager has also moved on through graduation. Returning pieces from two years ago include defender Eli Ours back for his senior year, John Hughes is a fellow returning senior with two goals, most back on the team. Those two are joined by seniors Will Kolck, Dominic Bouse and Colby Harris. The junior class returning after being on the roster as freshmen include Noah Miller, Gabe Bruns, Jorge Canchola, Collin Miller, Aiden Krabill, AJ Staley and Titus Neuschwander.
Fort Madison found themselves right around .500 and in the middle of the pack in the Southeast Conference in 2019. The Bloodhounds were 10-9 overall, 4-3 in league play, finishing third of six. They scored 44 combined goals, but surrendered 48, operating at a negative scoring differential for the year. Austin Sexton led the Bloodhounds with 18 goals with Reuben Eid second at 10. Both of those forwards along with Brody Rung and his third best on the team eight goals have moved on through graduation. Leading returner is Will Larson with two goals as a sophomore. In goal, the Bloodhounds will turn to Chance Decker who logged 240 minutes between the pipes as a sophomore, making 18 stops on 27 shots faced.
Action starts this afternoon at 1p.m. At the Baxter Sports Complex in Fort Madison.