Alive and kicking

Two down, two to go. That’s how the Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld boys soccer team looks at things. The Vanguards, trying to qualify for the state tournament for the first time in school history, won a WIAA Division 4 regional championship last week. The third-seeded Vanguards cruised past 14th-seeded Prairie du Chien, 10-0, in a regional semifinal last Thursday. Heights/Barneveld then toppled sixth-seeded Watertown Luther Prep, 3-1, in overtime in a regional final last Saturday. The Vanguards now travel to second-seeded Lake Mills for a sectional semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m. The winner of that game will face either ninth-seeded Wayland Academy or fifth-seeded Lake Country Lutheran in a sectional final Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Goodman Sports Complex in Madison. “Lake Mills is a tough, talented team,” Vanguards’ coach Bartlett Holmes said. “We will have to play a solid 90 minutes to have any hope of getting out of there with a (win).” Heights/Barneveld opened the playoffs with an easy win over Prairie du Chien. The Vanguards built a 9-0 halftime lead and the game was called early in the second half due to the 10-goal mercy rule. Brennan Zander led the Vanguards with three goals, while Gavin Childs and Sam King both had two goals. Tyler Hopfensperger, Braydan Cymbalak and Jack Haugen all scored goals, as well. “We had a fast start and didn’t let up,” Holmes said. “We maintained possession with short, clean passes.” That set up a battle with Watertown Luther Prep, a team that defeated the Vanguards, 2-0, during the regular season. Heights/Barneveld was dealt an early blow Saturday when Cymbalak went down with a knee sprain. “This was a big loss for us,” Holmes said. “Russell stepped up and played sweeper and Gib (Heathcote) moved back to outside defender. Our defense held strong with AJ (Olson) playing a solid game and Brodie (Trollop) was solid as usual as our stopper.” Late in the first half, though, Luther Prep converted a free kick from the top of the circle for a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, Heights/Barneveld responded when Heathcote ran up to receive the throw in from Haugen. Heathcote made a quick pass to Childs, who fed Caeben Schomber for the tying goal. “We went down early, but we answered right back with Caeb’s shot,” Holmes said. “Caeb had a great game. He was everywhere.” When neither team could break through in the second half, the game went to overtime. Five minutes into OT, Derek Adler’s bicycle kick went straight up in the air and Rhead Jacobus was able to punch it in for a 2-1 Vanguards’ lead. Luther Prep tried to answer, but (Trevor) Dimpfl and the defense held. Then with five minutes left in the extra session, Childs put a shot on goal, the Luther Prep keeper fumbled the save, and Childs was able to put home the rebound for the 3-1 final. Now it’s off to sectionals — as the Vanguards try reaching state for the first time ever. Oct. 24 HEIGHTS/BARNEVELD 10, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN 0 Prairie du Chien …….. 0 0 — 0 Heights/Barneveld . 9 1 — 10 First half: Schomber (Russell), 1:51; Childs (King), 4:73; Zander (Cymbalak), 6:39; Zander (Schomber), 14:03; Zander (Adler), 17:34; Hopfensperger (Haugen), 19:11; Cymbalak, 26:30; King (Schomber), 42:28; King (Childs), 43:37. Second half: Haugen (Cymbalak), 49:07. Saves: PdC (Tyne) 12; WHB (Dimpfl) 4.