Photo by Jeff Yoder | photo gallery

Jeff Yoder

Your Prep Sports

Early goals in big games have been scarce for Solon in recent years, a trend that coach Jeremey McMurrin has worked all season to reverse.

On Wednesday, the start finally played out according to script.

The seventh-ranked Spartans scored three times in the first 13 minutes of a 4-0 win over Pella Christian, leaving the field just one win away from the state tournament.

“Our starts in the past… against Regina, IMS, we just have not started well in the first couple minutes,” McMurrin said. “It’s been a point of emphasis all year long to try to come out strong early on and tonight we had a great start. Can’t be anything but pleased with that, getting balls in the net and controlling play like we wanted to.”

Gabe Yetley found his brother Luke for the first goal just four minutes into the game.

“That’s what we’ve been practicing,” Yetley said, “just that little ball into the middle and then to the goal. I just saw it and knew by instinct that that’s what I needed to do.”

Luke Yetley took the pass and buried the ball in the net for his 13th goal of the season.

Two minutes later, Jorel Justus got his foot on a ball in the air and beat the keeper to give the Spartans a two goal lead.

Gabe Yetley found the net himself in the 13th minute to complete the early barrage.

“It was the perfect start for us,” McMurrin said. “Our intensity was good. The things we worked on yesterday played out perfect for today. The runs that we were looking at making and getting the balls in there.

“We had the time to deliver good balls and the guys actually put them away this time, it was wonderful.”

Justus added his 18th goal of the season with under 12 minutes remaining, assisted by William Wittich.

The Solon midfield controlled possession for much of the night and the Spartans finished with a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal.

“I thought our guys in the middle, Bennet Meier, Luke McInnis, William Wittich, Gabe Yetley, Jake Roskopf, those guys did a great job in the middle of the field,” McMurrin said,

Solon (15-6) hosts 16th ranked Iowa Mennonite (11-4) in the substate final for the second straight season.

The Spartans gave up a goal in the second minute and fell 3-0 to IMS in Spartan Stadium a year ago.

“Obviously, we’ve wanted to have this game since that one last year, so I hope they show up and get off to a good start,” McMurrin said. “We know that they’re ready to play.”

Iowa Mennonite was ranked fifth in class 1A after a 6-1 start before losing three of its next five games. IMS defeated Clarke 1-0 in its substate semifinal match.

Even with a familiar opponent, McMurrin isn’t sure what to expect.

“It’s tough to say what it’s going to be,” he said. “You get to the postseason and you can pretty much throw all of the scouting reports out and the tendencies go away. It’s really just about who wants it more. You just go from there and see who’s going to play harder.”

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by becoming a member.