Rejoice, for Highland has finally conquered their fear of the net, ripping a shot into the open net to score its first goal, four weeks into the season, off the foot of sophomore, Angel Avendano. Those in attendance rocked the quaint stadium, breathing new life into the Highland Huskies, giving them all the momentum and shooting two more times with quality chances but being stifled.

Even though Highland lost to the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks 9-1, there were a lot of smiles and joyous celebration after the game. It’s Highland’s first goal scored since Thursday, Apr. 21, 2022, in a 5-2 win over Sigourney (also their last win). It was a 12-game goalless drought for the Huskies.

Mid-Prairie moves to 6-4 on the year as Highland drops to 0-9.

Despite the ending to this game sparking celebration, the first half was more of the same for the Highland squad which spend most of their time in the defensive end facing the wrath of Mid-Prairie senior, Owen Trimpe, who has been on a tear as of late, scoring six goals in the previous two games before this one.

Trimpe would score another two goals in this game, with plenty more chances.

Despite a few rare moments of offensive life for the Huskies, they spent most of the first half in their own zone. Despite this, they did play a tight defensive game, closing in but never collapsing against the Hawks and not giving away any big breakaways, something the Hawks are privy to.

The first goal came just over ten minutes in, Trimpe’s first. Two minutes later, Highland had their best chance in the first half for a goal, rushing down the field and taking an easy shot at the net. 

After a few moments of peace, Mid-Prairie had a 3-0 run with the help of Highland. First, a goal by junior Joe Hall. Then, junior Tucker Miller’s first out of two. Just a minute later and the Hawks were controlling play right in front of the Huskie net. A pass came in from the side of the net and Highland junior, Remington Fields, tried to grab possession of the ball and shoot it out of bounds to stop the bleeding. Instead, he bounced the ball right into his net, an own goal with sophomore goalie, Ayden Havel, not expecting the shot at all.

With ten minutes left in the first half, Trimpe scored his second. Highland already brings a physical game to the table. After the Trimpe goal made the score 5-0, they amped their physicality, especially junior Jack Peiffer, who on more than one occasion, found leverage and laid out Mid-Prairie Hawks, leaving them in the dust.

His physical play sparked two penalty kicks for the Hawks at the tail-end of the first with senior Noah Ford converting the first one and junior Sawyer Hough banking the second. Both shooters went far right and snuck the ball past a diving Havel.

Entering the second half, the score was 7-0 in favor of the Golden Hawks. Highland battened down the hatches in the second half, defensively. The Hawks did play some of its substitutions, but Highland played a much better game. From game one, coach Dylan Stewart knew his team was a second half team. They just need to find a way to play better in that first frame.

Havel made some really good saves in the second half, whether he was diving on the ground, jumping up or leaving the net when necessary to collect a loose ball, he played well.

Highland exerted their first offensive pressure about 26 minutes into the half. It was not sustained but it was a peek into the near future.

16 minutes left into the half and Mid-Prairie brought back their starters, potentially a move to help them end the game quicker, or just get them some more playing time. Mid-Prairie sophomore, Jacob Flynn, took a shot that hit the back of the net to give the Hawks a golden 8-0 lead. 21 seconds later and Mid-Prairie’s Miller drew a penalty. As Highland formed a wall to shield the shot, Miller adjusted, took a shot that glanced the top of the net and stayed in, a tremendous goal for the junior to give the Hawks a nine-goal lead, one shy of letting them go home early. 

This is when Highland’s glorious run began. Havel made some more saves and with 5:47 left, Fields redeemed his own goal by setting up Avendano with an empty net easy goal, the first of the year.

This led to a five-minute run where Highland easily controlled play, holding their heads up high in confidence like not seen before during this season.

HIGHLAND  VS MEDIAPOLIS 4/17

They almost had it. The Highland Huskies traveled to Mediapolis to take on the number four ranked Bulldogs in 1A competition. The Highland Huskies forced double overtime before the Bulldogs scored the winning goal to send Highland home with a 0-10 record. It is clear that the goal scored by Avendano against Mid-Prairie breathed new life into the Highland squad, scoring another goal here and competing with one of the best teams in the state at the 1A level. Sophomore, Logan McFarland, scored the goal for the Huskies.

Sophomore, Ayden Havel had a brilliant game at net, with 26 saves and only two goals allowed in the span of four periods.

Despite Highland’s struggles the past few seasons, they have always played Mediapolis tough. Last season in a sea of mercy rule games, Highland lost to Mediapolis 5-0. In fact, five goals are the most Mediapolis has ever scored against Highland going back to 2014. Mediapolis has won six matchups in a row.

Before this game, Mediapolis went four straight games without allowing a goal and have only surrendered six goals total on the year. Despite this, three of their last five wins were just 1-0 affairs with a 10-0 win sprinkled in.

Highland played a tight defensive game and just needed to find their offensive drive. Scoring two goals in a span of two games, their offense is finally waking up despite only two shots on goal in this affair.

Highland’s next matchup is at home against the Burlington Notre Dame Nikes on Tuesday, May 2. The Nikes are coming off of four straight wins without allowing a goal after starting their season 0-2. This is a prime chance for the Huskies to ride momentum to take their first win of the year.