Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Yearbook

The seventh biggest story in Hillcrest Academy sports from the recently completed year takes us to the soccer pitch where the Ravens brought home the Southeast Iowa Superconference championship in 2024. The Ravens started the season 7-0, including five conference wins in a row. They won their first six in Superconference play before their only setback, a 3-0 loss at the hands of Mediapolis at the end of April. The Ravens clinched the regular season title with a 4-0 win over Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union in the first week of May. Hillcrest won the championship with an 7-1 conference record, scoring wins over Danville, Burlington Notre Dame, WACO, Central Lee, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, Highland and Wapello. This was the Raven’s first title since 2019. The Ravens advanced to the semifinals of the Superconference Tournament and ended the season with a 10-4 overall record.

Hillcrest scored 49 goals on the season and ended the year with a +32 goal differential to go with 37 assists, 151 shots on goal and 63 corner kicks. Hillcrest keepers Kyle Neuschwander and Andrew Kauffman combined to stop 73 shots in 1100 minutes of game action and post an 86% combined save percentage, ninth best in Class 1A. The Raven defense had seven shut outs on the year.

Six Hillcrest players were named to All-Superconference teams including first teamers Micah Gerber and Mason Bender, second team selection Mason Helmuth and honorable mention performers Seth Ours, Bryce Bailey and Rowan Miller. Ravens Bryce Bailey, Kale Bailey, Isaac Beachy, Mason Bender, Jesse Blossom, Lincoln Miller, Rowan Miller, Kyle Neuschwander, Seth Ours and Mason Swartzendruber were named academic All-Southeast Iowa Superconference. As a group, Hillcrest received the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award from the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Silver Award from the United Soccer Coaches Association. Raven head coach Marcus Miller was named Co-Southeast Iowa Superconference Coach of the Year and recorded his 300th career win in a 2-1 April 18th victory over Danville.

Friday we continue our countdown with the sixth biggest story in Hillcrest Athletics from the last academic year when we take an in-depth look at that 300th career win for head soccer coach Marcus Miller.