The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk boys soccer team dropped their home opener Thursday to Williamsburg 2-0 in Wellman. The Raiders got both of their tallies in the first half, and both from Mason Eggleston. The Raiders leading returning scorer beat the Golden Hawk defense to open the offense in the first 15 minutes of the match, then punched in a penalty kick goal in the final five minutes before intermission to put Williamsburg up 2-0 at half. Out of the break, the two teams played even in the second half, as the defenses dictated action. After the match, Mid-Prairie head boys soccer coach Wyatt Cady talked with KCII Sports about what decided the match in the first half, his team’s improved play in the second and standout performers. Cady said, “Williamsburg had a lot of speed up top. They were also good with their counter-attacks. Mentally in the first half our defenders had a lapse where they got caught ball watching. Second half, mentally, I think we were a lot more locked in. At the start of the game were kind of flat, slow. We started a few freshmen tonight. This was probably the first major event they have played in as athletes. We just need to lock in on possession and valuing the ball. Tucker Miller and Daniel Rodgers worked really hard in the middle. I would say we controlled the center of the field, it just didn’t translate up top. It’s nice having Dylan Henry back. He likes joining the offense as a defender, and I love to see that. Kale Miller had a good game too. He’s a freshman starting defense for us. Crazy good touch. Caedyn Huston’s a freshman and played center-back for us. I think he was the most aggressive player on the field for us and you love to see it!”

Tucker Miller led the Mid-Prairie offense with seven total shots and Jacob Flynn had six saves in goal. The Hawks are now 1-1 on the season after splitting opening week matches with Williamsburg and Highland as the Raiders improve to 2-0. Mid-Prairie will travel to West Liberty Monday.