The eighth biggest story in Mid-Prairie sports from the last school year takes us to the soccer pitch, where the Golden Hawk girls made history with a postseason to remember.

The Hawks had just finished a 4-10-3 regular season with a tough Senior Night loss 2-1 in Wellman against Bellevue, and entered the playoffs on a dark and stormy night at the Wellman Rotary Soccer Fields against Wapello. After a 22-minute scoreless stalemate on a Monday, the game was postponed to finish Tuesday in better conditions and the Golden Hawks found their offense, cruising to an 8-0 win. Mid-Prairie won shots on goal 20-2 and corner kicks 10-0. Meadow Flynn and Zoey Curtiss each scored twice, Gabby Geno, Kassidi Greiner, Maya Banuelos and Brooklyn Schneider each scored once. Sam Wunderlich and Ruth Witthoft had two assists each.

In the second round, the Hawks hit the road for Mount Pleasant and played an instant classic, winning a 2-1 match in 11 penalty kicks. Mid-Prairie got a regulation goal from Zoey Curtiss, and PK connections from Kyla Karnes, Curtiss, Sam Wunderlich, Meadow Flynn and Lydia Beachy, while Golden Hawk keeper Niva Helmuth made the game winning stop.

In the regional semifinals the Golden Hawk road warriors passed the test again, this time taking down Mediapolis at Archer Field 2-1 to make history. Mid-Prairie led 1-0 at intermission and scored again in the second half to hold off MEPO. The Hawks had six shots on goal and four corner kicks with goals from Meadow Flynn and Avery Helmuth. Kyla Karnes added an assist and Ruth Whitthoft got the win in goal with six saves. That victory moved Mid-Prairie into the regional finals, one step shy of state, for the first time ever.

In the finals, the Golden Hawks ran into eventual Class 1A State Champion Davenport Assumption and were eliminated by the Knights 8-0. The match was scoreless for the first 20 minutes before Assumption put up five goals in the next 20 minutes and added three after intermission. Niva Helmuth had a career day in goal with 25 saves.

The Golden Hawks finished the year with a 7-11-3 overall record. Lydia Beachy, Meadow Flynn and Kyla Karnes were named All-River Valley Conference and Beachy and Niva Helmuth were Class 1A All-Southeast District selections. Our countdown continues Thursday when we highlight the Golden Hawk Dance Team.