Photo Courtesy of Nicole Miller (MP Sports Social Media)
The fifth biggest story in Hillcrest Academy athletics from the last year takes us to the soccer pitch, where the Ravens share a girls program with Mid-Prairie. The Golden Hawks posted 11 victories, matching the high-water mark for the program set in 2012, 2013 and 2021. The Mid-Prairie defense was the best in school history, setting a program record with seven shut out victories. The Hawks outscored their opponents 45-38 on the year.
Five Golden Hawks were named All River Valley Conference. Senior Sophia Baker was named to the RVC first team. The Golden Hawk midfielder and forward totaled eight goals and an assist, working at the top of the offense. She generated 26 shots on goal.
Senior Amara Jones was a first team all-league selection. Jones led the Hawks with 11 goals. She added three assists and posted a team best 44 shots on goal.
Senior Kina Miller was a second team all-RVC pick. Miller turned in a great season on both sides of the ball. She had seven assists, to tie for the Golden Hawk team lead, while scoring four times. She led the Mid-Prairie defense, spending a team best 720 minutes on the back line, making 105 saves, for an 88% save percentage during her time in goal.
Freshman Elise Gingerich was also a second team choice as a midfielder and forward. She tied for the team lead with seven assists, while also scoring six of her own goals, and putting 20 shots on goal.
Senior Paityn Jennings scored an honorable mention spot.
Student athletes from Hillcrest who participated included Morgyn Nafziger, Emily Curtiss, Adrianne Blauvelt, Zoey Curtiss, Niva Helmuth and Lydia Beachy. That group cominbed to appear in 85 matches, including 71 starts, with 12 goals, four assists, 120 saves and an 83.3% save percentage in goal.
Under the direction of first year head coach, and Iowa Mennonite School alum, Truman Shetler, the Golden Hawks finished with an 11-7 overall record. When our series continues Tuesday we’ll take a look at Hillcrest coaching great Dwight Gingerich, who continues to ascend the all-time career wins list.