In a battle of KCII area boys soccer programs, it was the No. 1 ranked in Class 1A Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks that scored a non-conference victory on the pitch in Riverside over the Highland Huskies 9-0. Mid-Prairie led 3-0 at the half on a pair of Noah Ford goals, one unassisted, the other included an Owen Trimpe helper, and a tally from Gunnar Gingerich on a Jack Pennington assist. The Golden Hawks found the back of the net six times after the break. Alex Bean scored twice, once each on assists from Trimpe and Gunnar Gingerich, Gunnar Gingerich scored twice more to complete his hat trick, once with help from Pennington, the other on a Riley Yoder assist. Single goals came from Pennington, on a Bean assist and Daniel Rodgers tallied once unassisted. After the match, Rodgers spoke with KCII sports about his goal and the team’s offensive output. “Swing the ball over and keep them guessing tonight. At halftime we talked about how offense works in basketball, moving the ball, moving without the ball, keeping the defense guessing and attacking at the smartest moment. With my goal, it bounced up to me, on a cross I think, and I just tapped it in with my left foot.”

The Golden Hawks had 22 total shots on goal to Highland’s one. Justice Jones turned in a clean sheet for Mid-Prairie with that single save. With the win, the top ranked Golden Hawks remain unbeaten at 8-0, out to the best start in school history. Mid-Prairie has outscored their opponents by a combined 47-1 on the season and has not allowed a goal in seven straight matches, a streak that dates back to April 5th, in a 3-1 win over top 10 Williamsburg. Highland is now 1-8. Mid-Prairie is at home Friday for Senior Night when they welcome Cascade to Wellman, Highland is at Mediapolis Thursday.