Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

SOLON – In the midst of a three-match losing streak second-year Solon head coach Eyasu Russell could see what was wrong.

His team wasn’t functioning as a team on the field.

“When we started to lose some games we became more individuals,” Russell said. “We had to learn to connect as a team.”

A more connected, more team-centric Solon squad picked up its second straight win on Tuesday and suddenly is building momentum as the postseason approaches.

Senior Eli Freerks scored twice in the second half as Solon (5-7) downed Clear Creek Amana 2-1 in a WAMAC Conference cross-divisional contest at Spartan Stadium in Solon.

“We are just playing as a team,” Freerks said. “In some of our losses we had some struggles playing together and being a team but now we are a big old family out here.”

Solon allowed 12 goals during a three-match losing streak that included losses to Williamsburg, South Tama and Benton Community and dropped the Spartans to 3-7 on the season.

The Spartans snapped the losing skid with a 4-2 win over Grinnell on Thursday and used that momentum to post its biggest win of the season on Tuesday over a Clear Creek Amana (7-4).

Russell credits teamwork as the biggest reason for the turnaround.

“The last two games we have been one unit,” Russell said. “There has been a huge shift in mentality of how we are playing as a team.”

After a scoreless first half Solon got on the board less than six minutes into the second half when Freerks scored off a perfectly placed corner kick by junior Evan Burg.

“Coach told me to try playing the ball on the six,” Burg said. “I played the ball on the six and Eli was there and he was able to hit it in.”

Burg’s corner kick found Freerks in space near the back post and the senior knocked it in to snap a scoreless tie with 34:12 remaining.

“We’ve been practicing that all year, we’ve been trying to find back posts,” Freerks said. “It was just straight over the goalies head and I was right there. It was a great ball.”

Clear Creek Amana got the equalizer less than five minutes later from sophomore Abner Godoy Pacheco.

The goal from Godoy Pacheco with 29:22 was his ninth of the season and tied the score at 1-1.

Freerks answered less than four minutes later, scoring on a breakaway to give the Spartans the lead for good at 2-1 with 25:52 remaining.

“In that situation when you get past one person you think, ‘I am beating everyone’,” Freerks said. “It’s do or die at that point.”

Clear Creek Amana had several chances to pull even in the final 12 minutes but Solon junior keeper Zander Stookey came up with a save on a shot from point blank range with 11:20 remaining to keep the score 2-1.

After scoring 14 goals in its first 10 games of the season the Spartans now have six during their current two-match winning streak.

“Honestly it was just practice, we have a lot of new players out here so it just took a little to get us to work together and figure it out,” Freerks said. “That and just getting some confidence is important.”

Solon will look for its first three-match winning streak of the season on Thursday when it travels to West Delaware (2-10).

“I hope this creates some momentum for us and we have a win streak off of this,” Burg said. “Hopefully that momentum will keep carrying on.”

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.