Prep Girls’ Soccer- It appeared that the only way teams from southeast Iowa would move on the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s girls’ soccer rankings would be either down a spot or off the list entirely. Nevertheless, both Southeast Conference (SEC) squads were bumped up a spot in the Class 2A rankings after a week of play.
The reason for the upward trajectory was #13 Bondurant-Farrar falling out of the top 15 altogether. The Blue Jays have had a rough end of April and start of May, dropping four games in a row to the likes of Class 2A’s #5 Gilbert, #3 Dallas-Center Grimes, and #8 ADM. The one that hurt the most was falling to Class 3A’s Southeast Polk, who is just 4-10 on the season.
Nevertheless, their misfortune has led to Burlington and Fort Madison climbing one spot apiece to #13 and #14, respectively, this week. The Grayhounds suffered their first loss of the season since April 11th last Friday against Class 1A’s #2 Davenport Assumption in a 4-0 thumping. Yet, they quickly bounced back to beat Mt. Pleasant and Keokuk by a combined score of 19 to 0 to wrap up the SEC title.
Burlington has been flat out impressive on defense, allowing only 56 shots on goal in their 15 games this season. Teamwork seems to be the focal point of this team, as their top five goal scorers each tout at least 11 goals with Daphne Brown’s 16 leading the team.
Looking at Burlington’s schedule would indicate a cakewalk for the Grayhounds to end out the regular season as Muscatine and Davenport North are a combined 4-18-1 on the season. However, the Muskies just tied Assumption last week and both belong to a brutal Mississippi Athletic conference.
Ever since losing to Burlington on April 16th, Fort Madison has gone 7-0-1 and outscored their opponents 51 to 4 in those eight contests. That one tie was a 2-2 draw against Burlington in their rematch. It is another situation where the Bloodhounds tout an amazing defense, allowing only 60 shots on goal, including 49 saves from Ellie Hellman.
Although Fort Madison also possesses one of the best players in Class 2A in Hadley Wolfe. The senior leads the class in goals with 34 and points with 82. Moreover, she has dished out 12 assists, which ranks second on the team. Kara Lake helps the cause with 11 goals of her own, while Halle Menke leads the team with 14 assists.
The Bloodhounds should have an easy path towards postseason play with the one downside being that three of their last four games will be on the road.