PRAIRIE DU CHIEN — The Platteville/Lancaster boys’ soccer team came up short in its attempt to clinch the Southwest Wisconsin Conference title last Thursday afternoon.

The host Prairie du Chien Blackhawks defeated the Hillmen for the second time this year by the count of 2–0. The two teams also played to a 2–2 draw on Sept. 20.

Prairie du Chien (14–1–1, 9–1–1 SWC) clinched at least a share of the league title and can claim the outright victory over River Valley (3–7–1, 2–6–1) on Thursday.

The Hillmen (12–2–2, 8–2–1) still cling to hope of a split title if they can finish the conference slate with a victory over Richland Center and get help in the form of a River Valley upset of Prairie du Chien.

Platteville/Lancaster bounced back with a 1–0 non-conference victory over Sugar River on Saturday. Senior Ying Xiong scored the lone goal on a breakaway in the 36th minute.

Junior Michael Prestegard made nine saves to record the shutout.

The Hillmen set up last Thursday’s conference-title showdown with a 1–0 win at Dodgeville/Mineral Point last Tuesday. Logan Weaver scored the lone goal in that match on an assist from Xiong.

The Hillmen close out the regular season Friday against visiting Wisconsin Heights at 4:30 p.m. They will then open the WIAA Division 3 playoffs Tuesday. First-round playoff pairings will be announced later this week.

Platteville/Lancaster 1, Dodgeville/Mineral Point 0
(from Tuesday, Oct. 4 @ Dodgeville)
Platteville/Lancaster           1      0    —   1
Dodgeville/Mineral Point   0      0    —   0
First half — P/L: Logan Weaver (Ying Xiong).
Second half — none.
Saves — P/L: Dillon Shinee 4; D/MP: Haakon Schriefer 8. Shots on Goal — P/L: 9; D/MP: 5. Shots — P/L: 15; D/MP: 6. Corner kicks — P/L: 7; D/MP: 3.

Prairie du Chien 2, Platteville/Lancaster 0
(from Thursday, Oct. 6 @ Prairie du Chien)
Platteville/Lancaster    0      0    —   0
Prairie du Chien           1       1    —   2
First half — PdC: Nathan Specht (Chas Sagendahl) 18:00; Jon Dyer (Mark Welter) 35:00.
Second half — none.
Saves — P/L: Dillon Shinee 10; PdC: Wesley Schwager 17. Shots on Goal — P/L: 17; PdC: 12.

Platteville/Lancaster 1, Sugar River 0
(from Saturday, Oct. 8 @ Platteville)
Sugar River                   0       0    —   0
Platteville/Lancaster     1      0    —   1
First half — P/L: Ying Xiong 36:00.
Second half — none
Saves — P/L: Michael Prestegard 9; SR: 5. Shots on Goal — P/L: 4; SR: 9. Shots — P/L: n/a; SR: n/a.