Eggleston returns this season for Raiders

WILLIAMSBURG — Allowing less than a goal a game is a good recipe for success.

The Williamsburg boys soccer team did just that last year, allowing only 12 goals in 17 games.

The Raiders went 14-3, shared the WaMaC West title for the second straight year and were just shy of advancing to state.

The team was defeated 1-0 by Davenport Assumption in the substate final.

The Knights ended up advancing to the state championship game.

“In 2024 the guys had a great season with a goal differential of almost 5 to 1,” Williamsburg coach Ryan Sauser said. “The postseason came to a close earlier than hoped for.”

Looking forward to this season, the Raiders graduate multiple key players from that stifling defense.

“After graduating multiple key contributors in the defense, we will look to reload the back and lean on returning experience in the midfield and attack,” said Sauser.

That attack will be led by returning first-team all state selection Braysen Doehrmann, who scored 14 goals last season and had 11 assists.

John Eichhorn also returns this season with double-digit goals last season with 10.

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A key contributor in Mason Eggleston is also back this season after suffering a torn ACL early last season.

Eggleston was the WaMaC West player of the year in 2023 when he scored 26 goals and had 12 assists.

‘He is excited to get back on the field for his senior season,“ Sauser said.

The Raiders will look to continue their in-conference success this season and push for a state berth again.

“We have a tough conference that will come down to a lot of close games, so we're excited to get into the season and see how the team develops,” Sauser said.

The team has a scrimmage Thursday against Sigourney-Keota and opens up the regular season Tuesday at Fort Madison.