Boys tie Loyola, fall to Scarlets
The New Prague Trojan boys soccer team moved to 1-3-1 last week, following a tie at Mankato Loyola and a loss at home to Mankato West.
New Prague’s September 9 match against Fairmont was postponed due to heat. They are scheduled to face Holy Angels (No. 4, Class A) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. On Monday, Sept. 16, they play at Waseca at 7 p.m., then the Trojans travel to Northfield Tuesday, Sept. 17, for a 5 p.m. match. New Prague plays at Farmington at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
Trojans 1, Crusaders 1
New Prague controlled the first six minutes of the game at Mankato Loyola Tuesday, Sept. 3, moving the ball well with nice off-ball runs. The Trojans took the lead 13 minutes in when Paul Hentges took the ball near the endline tried a cross pass that deflected off a Loyola defender and into the goal.
The action was back-and-forth for much of the game. Loyola tied it at 1-1 in the 27th minute of the second half when the Crusaders won a loose ball in front of the goal and scored.
“It was a mental error by our defenders that had consequences,” Coach Jon Hopke said.
The Trojans played the overtime period with enthusiasm and had several scoring chances, but couldn’t convert and the game ended in a tie.
“We had a great game from newcomer Wyatt Skok, along with Marty Dunleavy, Paul Hentges, Hayden Girard, and Michael Meyer,” Hopke said.
The Trojans had 24 shots on goal, with Hentges’ score coming on an assist from Matt Kehrli. Zach Jones had 15 saves for New Prague.
Scarlets 7, Trojans 0
New Prague faced an always-tough Mankato West team at home on Thursday, Sept. 5, and the experienced, talented Scarlet squad scored a 7-0 win.
West scored just four minutes into the game and led 4-0 at halftime.
“We played better in the second half and even had a few legitimate chances to score,” Hopke said. “But we couldn’t convert. “
Hentges, Skok, Dunleavy and Meyer played very well. “We never gave up, and kept on pushing,” Hopke added.
