PORT WASHINGTON — The Platteville/Lancaster boys soccer team returned from the Port Washington Invitational as champions for the first time in eight trips to the tournament.
Coach Brandon Pink’s Hillmen blanked the host Pirates 3–0 in Friday’s opening round to reach the championship.
Then a day later, Platteville/Lancaster nipped Madison Edgewood 1–0 to win the title.
Sophomore midfield Evan Mewhirter scored on a pass from Aaron Murphy early in the 35th minute and senior goalie Michael Fields and the rest of the Hillmen defensive backfield made the one goal the game winner.
Fields made four saves Saturday, seven in Friday shutout and seven more in a 5–0 Southwest Wisconsin Conference victory at Richland Center last week, finishing the week 3–0 without allowing a goal on 18 shots.
Fields had plenty of help from senior captain Nate Busch, an honorable mention All-SWC defender a year ago, fellow senior Will Houghton and junior defender Ryder Arians, who combine to thwart numerous Edgewood opportunities in Saturday’s victory over Edgewood.
Another key to Platteville/Lancaster’s 6–0–1 start to the season has been the play of their midfield.
With talented players like seniors Kengkue Xiong and Aaron Murphy, and sophomore Evan Mewhirter controlling possession in the midfield and a lock down defensive back line, the Hillmen are able to dominate pace of play. The Platteville/Lancaster midfielders also quickly turn takeaways into scoring opportunities for forwards Kayden Addie and Nick Kroll, and each other.
Mewhirter scored a hat trick in last week’s 5–0 shutout at Richland Center and scored the opening goal Friday’s 3–0 victory over Port Washington in the 21st minute.
Friday’s match remained a 1–0 defensive struggle until the 74th minute when Xiong scored on a feed from Addie.
Xiong returned the favor in the 90th minute, setting up an Addie score with just 45 seconds left in the match.
Thursday’s SWC match with Prairie du Chien was postponed by poor field conditions and will be replayed Oct. 15.
The Hillmen (6–0–1, 2–0 SWC) hosted Dodgeville Tuesday night and will now travel to Belleville/New Glarus Thursday. They will then travel to River Valley on Tuesday.
Platteville/Lancaster 5, Richland Center 0
(from Tuesday, Sept. 10 @ Rich. Center)
Platteville/Lancaster....4 1 — 5
Richland Center.............0 0 — 0
First half — P/L: Evan Mewhirter 5:00, Mewhirter 9:00, Kayden Addie 15:24, Mewhirter 16:56.
Second half — P/L: Addie 57:44.
Saves — P/L: Michael Fields 7, RC: Jake Dickman 8. Shots (shots on Goal) — P/L: 21 (13), RC:14 (7). Corner kicks — P/L: 6, RC: 0.
Port Washington Invitational
Platteville/Lancaster 3, Port Washington 0
(from Friday, Sept. 13 @ Port Washington)
Platteville/Lancaster.....1 2 — 3
Port Washington............0 0 — 0
First half — P/L: Evan Mewhriter 20:35.
Second half — P/L: Kengkue Xiong (Kayden Addie) 73:24, Addie (Xiong) 89:15.
Saves — P/L: Michael Fields 7, PW: Cale Theis 6. Shots (shots on Goal) — P/L: 15 (9), PW: 10 (7). Corner kicks — P/L: 2, PW: 3.
Port Washington Invitational
Platteville/Lancaster 1, Madison Edgewood 0
(from Saturday, Sept. 14 @ Port Washington)
Edgewood........................0 0 — 0
Platteville/Lancaster.....1 0 — 1
First half — none.
Second half — P/L: Mewhirter (Aaron Murphy) 34:15.
Saves — P/L: Michael Fields 4; E: Grant Merck 5. Shots (shots on Goal) — P/L: 14 (6), E: 5 (4). Corner kicks — P/L: 4, E: 3.
