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West Branch falls to Mid-Prairie at home
by Matthew Dickinson, sports editor · Sports · April 17, 2024
Despite pummeling the Mid-Prairie defense with plenty of quality scoring chances, the West Branch girls’ soccer team fell 4-0 to the Golden Hawks Monday night at home.
“Twenty seven shots on goal, only one went in,” Bears Co-Head Coach Becky Hosier said. “We doubled their shots and they scored more goals. We’re there. We’re getting the attacks, but we’re just not getting it in the back of the net.”
After a combination of poor weather on match days and one possible opponent canceling their match due to low numbers, the Bears were playing just their second competition of the season. West Branch had a positive result last Friday at home against Central Lee, a 4-2 setback. The two goals came after the Bears had two players sent off, forcing West Branch to play nine on 11.
Against Mid-Prairie, a team that has consistently been one of the steadiest programs in the River Valley Conference in recent years, West Branch showed plenty of potential offensively. Emily Coleman was the aggressor in the first few minutes, rattling off a couple of shots on goal to keep the Golden Hawks honest.
After both sides settled into a rhythm in the midfield, freshman Grace Hamann got off a shot on goal after 10 minutes before Mid-Prairie answered with a good look of its own a minute later. The Golden Hawks struck after 13 minutes, getting a goal after an unlucky bounce sent the ball over backup keeper Dani Crutchley, who crouched over to scoop the ball off the ground. Crutchley was filling in for starter Jenie Gomez, who had to sit out the match after receiving a red card in the Central Lee contest.
The pace slowed in the ensuing minutes, with JaLynn Falco uncorking a shot after 24 minutes before Hamann had another quality look a minute later. The 30-minute mark had plenty of action, as Kylie Pickett had a shot on goal for the Bears before the Golden Hawks took a two-goal lead after a nifty strike that scraped the ground and narrowly evaded a diving Crutchley.
After a close-range shot from Hamann after 34 minutes, the freshman had a great scoring opportunity on a strong boot to the center of the goal that fell into the hands of the Golden Hawks keeper. Mid-Prairie had some fireworks of its own late in the half, narrowly missing a third goal on an arching free kick that nearly found the top of the net. The score held into the half, with Mid-Prairie taking a 2-0 edge into the final 40 minutes.
The Golden Hawks had a shot at 43 minutes that just missed the mark, while Katelyn Essington nearly had a goal six minutes later on a free kick from long distance. Coleman nearly cracked the scoreboard on a corner kick moments later. Mid-Prairie had a great chance to score at the 57-minute mark, as a handball by West Branch in the keeper’s box set up a penalty kick. The shot was too high, but the Golden Hawks managed a goal seconds later as Mid-Prairie unleashed a beautiful shot that nestled into the top left corner of the net.
The Bears kept up the attack, with Hamann and Coleman getting some good looks to score. After 74 minutes, Hamann missed a goal by inches. The Golden Hawks put another goal on the scoreboard on a free kick that again targeted the top of the goal. The relentless offensive attack by West Branch finally paid off with a goal by Coleman in the final minute of action, but the score was not enough to overcome the extra padding Mid-Prairie had added earlier in the match.
The Bears’ speed was a difference-maker offensively despite not having the services of junior MadeLynn Falco. Coleman and Hamann kept the defense guessing all match, while other players such as JaLynn Falco and Chloe Albrecht covered plenty of ground and put pressure on Mid-Prairie.
“Like any other sport, they’ve got to get their skills,” Co-Head Jose Gongora said. “That’s what we’re lacking. If they can move and get that ball going, it’s just a matter of time.”
West Branch had a lot more fluidity on the pitch compared to the previous year, which had a slower offensive attack and focused on defense. Defenders and midfielders often swapped roles, while the team’s forwards also helped out defensively when needed.
“There’s a lot of freshmen out there,” Gongora said. “They’re adapting well.”
Hosier added that the team’s increased offensive attack adds another dimension to the team, and that the Bears will be tough to stop once the offense and defense begin to get into sync.
Despite a younger roster, the Bears had good performances out of their veterans.
Coleman and Essington, who have been staples of the varsity lineup in recent years, set the pace. Coleman’s relentless attack was helped by the presence of Essington, who negated plenty of Mid-Prairie attacks and also set up the offense with deep, accurate passes.
“They’re showing some leadership,” Gongora said of the veterans. “They’re trying to get some girls who are in lower classes to come up and help. They’re communicating, and they were passing really well at the end.”
The match marked the second time the Bears had been able to play on Butch Pedersen Field at the Little Rose Bowl after using the field up by the high school. Both coaches were grateful to play in one of the most iconic football venues in the state.
“It’s a dream come true for us,” Gongora said. “This is great. I know a lot of the community and players are excited. We’re just having a lot of fun.”
Hosier added that the Central Lee coach told them that “this is the most beautiful field we’ve ever seen for soccer.” The coach said that she “loved” receiving that praise for the surface while also demonstrating her gratitude for getting the chance to play on the field.
The Bears had two more matches on their slate this week despite an April 16 home tilt against Tipton being postponed for the second time due to weather. Although Hosier said that areas such as ball handling will need to be addressed, she felt confident in the team’s chances to compete.
“We’re farther along with our team than we were last year,” the coach said, adding that she feels the team is primed to get into the win column sooner rather than later.
1 2 T
M-P 2 2 4
WB 0 1 1
West Branch offense n/a
West Branch goalkeeping n/a
Mid-Prairie offense: Avery Helmuth 1 shot; Elise Gingerich 3 goals, 6 points, 8 shots, 4 SOG; Kealy Roberts 3 shots; Kassidi Greiner 1 shot, 1 SOG; Brooklyn Schneider 1 assist, 1 point, 1 shot; Lydia Beachy 1 goal, 2 points, 4 shots, 3 SOG. Team totals: 1 assist, 4 goals, 9 points, 18 shots, 8 SOG.
West Branch 2, Central Lee 4
The Bears hosted Central Lee and struggled against the visitors, 4-2, on April 12.
1 2 T
CL 1 3 4
WB 1 1 2
West Branch offense: Grace Hamann 1 goal, 2 points, 4 shots, 1 SOG; Melayna Burmeister 1 assist, 1 point; Kylie Pickett 1 goal, 2 points, 2 shots, 1 SOG; Emily Coleman 3 shots; Katelyn Essington 2 shots. Team totals: 1 assist, 2 goals, 5 points, 11 shots, 2 SOG.
West Branch goalkeeping: Dani Crutchley 2 goals allowed, 2 saves, 50 PCT; Jenie Gomez 2 goals allowed, 14 saves, 87.5 PCT.
Central Lee offense: Ellie Lake 2 goals, 4 points, 8 shots, 7 SOG; Aubree Boyd 2 goals, 4 points, 11 shots, 4 SOG. Team totals: 4 goals, 8 points, 19 shots, 11 SOG.
Central Lee goalkeeping: Adi Robinson 2 goals allowed, 7 saves, 77.8 PCT.
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