PLATTEVILLE — Two weeks ago, the Platteville/Lancaster boys’ soccer team took over first place in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference with a 3–0 victory at Dodgeville/Mineral Point on Oct. 7.
Last Thursday, the Hillmen claimed the outright SWC title with a 2–0 Senior Night victory over the visiting Dodgers.
Spanish exchange student Felipe Llinares scored 19 seconds into the match and assisted on freshman Kaydan Addie’s goal at the 18:20 mark of the first half.
From there the Hillmen defense and senior goalie Michael Prestegard made the shutout hold up. It was Platteville/Lancaster’s seventh shutout of the season and Prestegard’s sixth while in net.
The Hillmen improved to 7–6–4 overall and finished SWC play 5–0–3 a half game ahead of River Valley (5–1–2 SWC).
This is Platteville/Lancaster’s fourth conference title in Coach Brandon Pink’s sixth year at the helm.
The Hillmen shared the 2013 SWC title with Dodgeville and won it outright in 2014 and 2015.
Thursday’s regular season finale was expected to be a winner-take-all conference championship match, but Dodgeville/Mineral Point was eliminated from conference title contention with a 7–3 loss to River Valley two days earlier.
Valley’s victory, combined with Platteville/Lancaster’s surprising 1–1 tie to last place Richland Center (4–15–1, 1–6–1 SWC) meant the Blackhawks could win the title with a Hillmen loss or share it with a Platteville/Lancaster tie.
But Llinares propelled the home team to a quick start and the Hillmen never looked back.
Richland Center took an early 1–0 lead in Tuesday’s draw on a penalty kick by Marcos Kyska.
A Platteville/Lancaster player was sent off for a red card on the play and the Hillmen were forced to play the final 62 minutes a man down.
But Llinares set up Lancaster senior Tyler Graney early in the second half to even the match.
The Hillmen will now open the WIAA Division 3 playoffs Thursday at fourth-seeded Sugar River (14–5–3) in Verona.
The Raiders defeated the Platteville co-op 3–1 on Sept. 14 at Belleville High School, outshooting the Hillmen 15–5.
Platteville/Lancaster 1, Richland Center 1
(from Tuesday, Oct. 10 @ Rich. Center)
Platteville/Lancaster 0 1 — 1
Richland Center 1 0 — 1
First half — RC: Marcos Kyska (PK) 28:00.
Second half — P/L: Tyler Graney (Felipe Llinares) 50:00.
Saves — P/L: Michael Prestegard 3. RC: Reighley Schultz 11. Shots on Goal — P/L: 12. RC: 4.
Platteville/Lancaster 2, Dodgeville/Mineral Point 0
(from Thursday, Oct. 12 @ Platteville)
Dodgeville/Mineral Point 0 0 — 0
Platteville/Lancaster 2 0 — 2
First half — P/L: Felipe Llinares 0:19, Kaydan Addie (Llinares) 18:20.
Second half — none.
Saves — P/L: Michael Prestegard n/a. D/MP: n/a. Shots on Goal — P/L: n/a. D/MP: n/a.
