Prairie Boys Soccer

Prairie falls short against Centennial

DES MOINES - Second-chance opportunities are huge in any sport and those were especially crucial for second-ranked Ankeny Centennial, which scored a pair of goals off deflected shots to win its Class 3A state quarterfinal game against Cedar Rapids Prairie Thursday in the opening round at the Cownie Soccer Park.

The  2-0 setback was a disappointing end to a storybook season for the sixth-ranked Hawks, who were making their first state playoff appearance after seven near-misses in substate finals.

Prairie entered the decisive midway point of the game with a clear goal in mind, but it couldn't account for a pair of loose shots that Centennial converted off the hands of goalkeeper Alec Balta.

"In the scouting report we knew that a couple of their kids hit with power, so it would be tough to catch," said Hawks Coach Curt Lewis, who was making his first state appearance in 12 years as a head coach. "We wanted to maybe push it to the side or follow our marks on a couple and it would help things.

"The game is a reaction and it happens so fast. We saved the first shot, but just didn't get the second."

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Prairie falls short against Centennial

DES MOINES - Second-chance opportunities are huge in any sport and those were especially crucial for second-ranked Ankeny Centennial, which scored a pair of goals off deflected shots to win its Class 3A state quarterfinal game against Cedar Rapids Prairie Thursday in the opening round at the Cownie Soccer Park.

The  2-0 setback was a disappointing end to a storybook season for the sixth-ranked Hawks, who were making their first state playoff appearance after seven near-misses in substate finals.

Prairie entered the decisive midway point of the game with a clear goal in mind, but it couldn't account for a pair of loose shots that Centennial converted off the hands of goalkeeper Alec Balta.

"In the scouting report we knew that a couple of their kids hit with power, so it would be tough to catch," said Hawks Coach Curt Lewis, who was making his first state appearance in 12 years as a head coach. "We wanted to maybe push it to the side or follow our marks on a couple and it would help things.

"The game is a reaction and it happens so fast. We saved the first shot, but just didn't get the second."

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Prairie boys make soccer history

It took eight tries, but the Cedar Rapids Prairie boys soccer team finally cracked the glass ceiling and reached the state tournament for the first time in school history Saturday.

The sixth-ranked Hawks edged Bettendorf, 1-0, in the Class 3A substate finals at John Wall Field on a goal by sophomore Joel Collett in the second half.

Prairie (14-3) will face Ankeny Centennial (18-1) in the quarterfinals of the state tournament Thursday at 5:05 p.m. at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.

The Hawks collected their 13th shutout of the season and leaped into each other's arms when the defensive struggle ended in a light drizzle.

"It feels absolutely incredible," said Prairie goalkeeper Alec Balta. "I've been in this game (the substate finals) three times out of my four years here.

"It's heartbreaking when you lose this game, but it feels absolutely incredible to finally get through."

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Prairie boots PV, makes substate finals

Spencer Young scored just 16 seconds into the second half Thursday to snap a 1-1 tie and help the sixth-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie soccer team trim Pleasant Valley, 2-1, in the Class 3A substate semifinals at John Wall Field.

The Hawks will host Bettendorf in the substate finals Saturday at noon, with the winner advancing to the state tournament.

Seth Rinderknecht scored on a penalty kick in the first half to give Prairie a 1-0 lead. Pleasant Valley tied the match with six minutes left in the first half, then Young came through with the game-winner shortly after halftime.

Alec Balta held the visitors to one goal.