Boys soccer prepares for home stretch

The New Prague Trojan boys soccer team split a pair of games last week as the regular season winds down.

New Prague defeated Hutchinson and lost to Orono in a pair of Wright County Conference games.

The Trojans opened the current week with four games in four days, facing Holy Family and Cannon Falls on Monday and Tuesday (results next week). They are scheduled to host Delano in a makeup game on Wednesday and play at Mound Westonka Thursday, Sept. 29. New Prague plays at Rochester Century Saturday, Oct. 1, at Mankato West Monday, Oct. 3, and hosts Minneapolis Roosevelt on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to end the regular season.

The Section 1AA playoffs begin Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Trojans 1, Tigers 0 The Trojans won their second straight game, 1-0 over Hutchinson Tuesday, Sept. 20.

"In the first half we had difficulties with communication and keeping our shape," Coach Jon Hopke said.

"Many times we were in each other’s space and didn’t talk with each other about what we needed to do to move the ball forward. We had a few individuals working together at times, but not consistently enough to make a coordinated effort for goals.”

After a scoreless first half, the Trojans made adjustments and began to dominate play in the second half.

"We held possession of the ball more regularly and put many shots on goal, but most directly at the goalkeeper," Hopke said.

With five minute remaining, sophomore Cole Uplegge....

To see more on this story pick up the September 29, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.