Hillcrest throws scare into top-ranked Notre Dame soccer

BURLINGTON — Hillcrest’s soccer team had lost to Notre Dame’s boys in two previous matches by a combined 18-0. Monday’s postseason match was 1-0 at halftime before ending in the Nikes favor 4-0.

“We hadn’t had very much luck against Notre Dame, so it was a combination of trying to play a little more defensive-minded, a little more organized and still trying to create some offensive pressure,” Hillcrest coach Marcus Miller said. “I think the guys executed the plan about as well as they could.”

The Ravens plugged up the middle of the field, limiting Notre Dame's scoring opportunities until a counter attack by the Nikes scored 20 minutes into the match.

The back line of Grant Bender, Aaron Hershberger, and Aidan Yoder did an excellent job of limiting runs into the box while goalie Aiden Krabill made several key saves, including a one-on-one situation. Midfielders, Dominic Bouse, Jorge Canchola, Collin Miller, Noah Miller and Eli Ours jammed up the middle while also limiting Notre Dame's attempts to go wide and send in long crosses. Up front Will Kolck, John Hughes along with Johnny Diaz, worked to create offensive pressure while also limiting Notre Dame’s attack out of the back.

As the teams walked off the field at halftime, it might have been difficult to tell who was winning as Notre Dame was frustrated with their 1-0 lead and the Ravens were happy to keep them to one goal. Bouse left with an injury and Notre Dame converted a beautiful head ball, 14 minutes into the half. Notre Dame scored on a second corner at the halfway point and finished with another corner 11 minutes left in the match.

“We’ve kind of struggled on corner kicks all year, and Notre Dame is obviously pretty good at that,” Miller said. “Other than that, I was really happy with how we played. It would have been nice to create a little more offensive pressure.”

Hillcrest ends its season at 9-6.