Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy
The Hillcrest Academy boys soccer team starts this season’s journey tonight when they host the Cedar Valley Christian Huskies in Kalona. Hillcrest was 6-9 last season, finishing with a 5-4 record in the Southeast Iowa Superconference before bowing out in the opening round of the postseason by a 1-0 score at Mid-Prairie. The Ravens scored 32 goals last season and gave up 32. They return their top two scorers with Diego Ramos back after a freshman season with 10 goals. Micah Gerber scored seven last season in his first year with the program. Hillcrest lost their assist leader Collin Miller to graudation after four last year, but do bring back Grant Bender for his senior season after three helpers last year. In goal, the Ravens will need to replace Aiden Krabill who spent more than 1200 minutes on the back line last season with a 78% save percentage.
Cedar Valley Christian was 6-9 a season ago. The Huskies scored 26 goals and gave up 60. They will have to replace their goals leader Nati Kejella who wrapped up his career with a 12 goal season. Top returner is Sam Severson with four goals last year. Levi Telecky, CVC’s top assister also graduated after five year. Severson is the leader back there as well with four. In goal, the Huskies will turn to Braiden Eichenberger who is back after a junior season with more than 1100 minutes played and 149 saves. This week, Raven head coach Marcus Miller talked with KCII Sports about his team and what has him excited for this year. “Among returners is senior Grant Bender. Last year he was our central defender and just did a really nice job. He provides a lot of good leadership. Another seniors, Isaac Lybeck, one of those guys that saw a lot of increased minutes over the course of last year. We’re planning for him to step into a starting spot this year. Seth Ours, Micah Gerber, Mason Bender, Bryce Bailey and Jesse Blossom all saw significant minutes last year. Hopefully their skills have grown and they continue their improvement to build on last year.”
Hillcrest won this matchup last year 3-2 with Grant Bender scoring twice and Seth Ours once. Acton starts tonight at 4p.m. on the campus of Hillcrest Academy.