It’s a big night on the soccer pitch for area teams as the boys postseason tournament gets underway Thursday. The Washington Demons open the tournament trail tonight when they travel to Fort Madison to take on the Fairfield Trojans in the first round of class 2A substate five. The Demons enter as the five seed in the bracket with a 9-5 record. Washington was beaten in their regular season finale at Hillcrest Academy Monday 2-0. For the season the Demons are led by Zac Stout with his school record 28 goals this season, third most in Iowa. Brayan Arreola leads Washington with seven assists and in goal Cole Anderson has 100 saves and an 80.6% save percentage.

Fairfield is the four seed in the bracket with a 9-4 record. The Trojans have been off since Friday when they fell to Oskaloosa on the road 2-1. For the season Fairfield is led by Xavier Kapjilmppanga with 25 goals, eighth most in the state in 2A. He also has the team lead with six assists. Kyle Schubick in goal has made 39 saves with a 75% save percentage. Both the Demons and Trojans are receiving votes in this week’s class 2A poll from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. These two teams split their regular season matches, each winning on the other’s home field with the Demons taking a 2-1 golden goal victory in April and Fairfield returning the favor 4-1 two weeks ago. Fairfield has won 16 of the last 17 against Washington and 20 of the last 22.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks open the playoffs in class 1A tonight at home, hosting the Pella Christian Eagles. The Hawks come into the match with an overall record of 9-4. They were senior night winners on Monday over Keokuk 10-0 behind four goals from Zeus Fugate. They are ranked No. 15 in this week’s class 1A poll from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association and are the three seed in their substate. On the season the Golden Hawks are led by Owen Trimpe’s 15 goals and Ethan Trimpe’s nine assists. In goal, Justice Jones has 25 saves with a 78.1% save percentage.

Pella Christian stands at 2-12 on the campaign. The Eagles were beaten at Pella Tuesday 10-0. For the season PC is led by Ty Hugen, Jack Francher and Ethan Milligan each with one goal. Hugen leads the team with one assist. In goal, Hayden Te Grotenhuis has 107 saves and a 77.5% save percentage. This is the first all-time meeting between the two schools.

Hillcrest Academy makes it’s way into the 1A playoffs tonight when they host Central Lee as the four seed in class 1A substate five. The Ravens are 8-5 on the year after beating Washington on Senior Night Monday 2-0 behind goals from Jorge Canchola and Noah Miller and a clean sheet from Aiden Krabill. On the year the Ravens are led by Miller with nine goals. John Hughes has the team lead with four assists. In goal, Krabill has 97 saves with a 78.2% save percentage.

Central Lee is 5-6 on the year. They lost to Danville 4-3 Friday in the Southeast Iowa Superconference Tournament. Seth Mayes leads the Hawks on the year with 15 goals, Mason Schau with six assists and in goal, Blake Moeller has 108 saves and a 73.5% save percentage. These two teams met on May 10th with the Hawks beating the Ravens 1-0 on a golden goal.

Columbus starts the postseason tonight when they start the 1A playoffs at home as the three seed against the Danville Bears. The Wildcats are 7-6 on the season. They were beaten 1-0 by Hillcrest Academy last Friday in the opening round of the Southeast Iowa Superconference Tournament. On the season the Wildcats are led by Gary Molina’s 20 goals. Javier Panchillo has five assists. In goal, Bryan Miranda has 23 saves and a 53.5% save percentage.

Danville is 4-5 this season. On Monday they beat Highland 8-1. For the year the Bears are led by Joel Lacy’s seven goals, Dakota Dietsch has eight assists and in goal, Levi Svoboda has 95 saves and an 80.5% save percentage. These two teams met two weeks ago with the Wildcats taking a 5-1 win. Columbus has won four straight in the series. Action in all matches starts tonight at 6:30.