The Platteville/Lancaster boys’ soccer team wrapped up the outright conference title with a 2–1 victory over visiting River Valley last Thursday afternoon.

Lancaster seniors Julian LaBudda and Clay Vesperman scored in the 35th minute and 55th minute respectively and Platteville senior Devon Briggs and the Hillmen defense made the two goals stand up.

Michael Honer scored River Valley’s lone goal in the 70th minute.

Platteville/Lancaster improved to 10–5–2 overall and 9–0–1 in the SWC with just two league matches remaining. River Valley fell to 10–4 and 6–3 in the SWC and was eliminated from title contention with the loss.

The Hillmen shared the 2013 SWC title with Dodgeville/Mineral Point.

“Repeating as conference champions was one of the goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season and we’re very happy to have accomplished it,” said third-year Hillmen head coach Brandon Pink. “ It was a different feel from last season when we were neck and neck with Dodge–Point. That was our first title in awhile, and it was a more emotional title. But we were certainly glad following the Valley game when we clinched this year’s, but the reaction of the guys was more, ‘Okay, great. Check that item off the list. What’s next?’

“The guys have been like that all season. They don’t dwell on things, they constantly want to move forward on to new challenges. That approach is a big reason why we were able to so consistently get results this year. We knew we had the ability, we just had to go out and take care of business.  They did, and now we can begin to look forward to playoffs.”

Last Tuesday third-place Dodgeville/Mineral Point (4–4–2 SWC) played Platteville/Lancaster to a 1–1 draw.
LaBudda scored on an assist from Vesperman in the 13th minute, but that was all the offense the Hillmen could muster.
The Dodgers’ Zach Nelson tied the match with a goal in the 37th minute.

Platteville/Lancaster traveled to Richland Center on Tuesday and will close out the SWC season Thursday at Prairie du Chien. Friday the Hillmen will host Mauston  at 7 p.m. at UW–Platteville’s Pioneer Stadium for Senior Night.

Platteville/Lancaster 4,
Prairie du Chien 0
(from Tuesday, Sept. 16 @ Prairie du Chien)
Prairie du Chien        0       0    —   0
Platteville/Lancaster        1      3    —  4
No individiual stats available

Mount Horeb 3,
Platteville/Lancaster 0
(from Friday, Sept. 19 @ Mount Horeb)
Platteville/Lancaster        0      0    —  0
Mount Hroeb        1       2    —   3
First half — MH: Steven Abalos 41:36.
Second half — MH: Dane Zoske (Garrett Spellman) 48:13; S. Albos 86;19..
Saves — P/L: Devon Briggs 6; MH: Jimmy Conway 1. Shots on Goal — P/L: 1; MH: 9.

Platteville/Lancaster 1,
Dodgeville/Mineral Point 1
(from Tuesday, Sept. 23 @ Dodgeville)
Platteville/Lancaster        1      0    —  1
Dodgeville/Mineral Point        1       0    —   1
First half — P/L: Julian LaBudda (Clay Vesperman) 12:30; D/MP: Zach Nelson (Jack Schickel) 36:53.
Second half — none.
Saves — P/L: Devon Briggs 3; D/MP: Max Palskill 5. Shots on Goal — P/L: 6; D/MP: 3.

Platteville/Lancaster 2,
River Valley 1
(from Thursday, Sept. 25 @ Plattevillle)
River Valley        1       0    —  1
Platteville/Lancaster        1       1    —  2
First half — P/L: Julian LaBudda 35:00
Second half — P/L: Clay Vsperman 55:00; RV: Michael Honer 70:00.
Saves — P/L: Devon Briggs 3; RV: Gilbeck 3. Shots on Goal — P/L: 5; RV: 4.