Photos by Ben Yoder/Yoder Photography

By Jeff Yoder

While the changing lineups have been less than ideal for the Mid-Prairie boys soccer team, the play on the field was solid again on Tuesday as the Golden Hawks kept their record perfect with an 8-1 win over Tipton (0-4).

Owen Trimpe and Zues Fugate, who were both limited by injuries in a win over Monticello the previous Friday, combined for five goals as Mid-Prairie improved to 3-0. 

Tobin and Tucker Miller were back in the lineup on Tuesday, but defender Jack Pennington was out after suffering an injury during his two-goal day at Monticello. Freshman Beau Flynn stepped into that role and played well. 

Mid-Prairie coach Pat Cady said that communication improved between the players as the game went on. 

“We were a little bit out of sync with center backs and knowing when to move up and down the field,” he explained. “So that kind of slowed us down a little bit too, and we had to cover for guys being out of position a couple of times — but as the game went on they were learning when to make the runs, when to hold, and the good options for passing and everything.”

Fugate scored twice during the first 16 minutes to give the Golden Hawks a 2-0 lead. Fugate took three shots in his previous game, but was unable to get one past the goalkeeper. 

“It was nice to see him get a couple goals,” Cady said, “and then Owen went off on a run and picked up three goals in a row.”

The sophomore Trimpe has a team-high five goals this year, and also leads the team with 18 shots. 

Tucker Miller found fellow freshman Noah Ford for his first goal of the season in the 62nd minute. Five minutes later, Ford returned the favor with an assist on Miller’s goal. 

Sophomore Braden Hartley scored the final goal of the evening with about three minutes remaining. 

“He had a couple good shots at Monticello that just missed being on frame and scoring,” Cady said. 

In addition to the injuries and other commitments that resulted in missed games and practices, several players had not practiced in two weeks due to the Mid-Prairie musical. Cady expects play to improve when the regular rotation players are able to spend more time on the field together. 

“We’re hoping when we get to a regular starting lineup, then certain things start going smoothly,” Cady said. “When we’re subbing, who’s subbing at what time... and then we can get a certain group of guys working together so they know who’s going to be where, and know when they pass the ball that somebody should be in that space.”

Cedar Valley Christian was unable to play the game scheduled for Friday, April 16 and a makeup date has not been announced. The Golden Hawks traveled to Anamosa (0-4) on Tuesday, April 20 and will be back home on Friday, April 23 to host Prince of Peace (1-3).