Devin Lentz

Junior standout Jack Donahue (21) defending against Iowa City West during a scrimmage on March 23.

The Pleasant Valley Boys Soccer team swept the Bettendorf Bulldogs on Monday, April 8.

The last time these two teams played each other, the outcome was disappointing for both the Spartan players and fans. On May 26, 2018, they went head-to-head in the substate final at Bettendorf’s Touvelle Stadium. The [at the time] 3A No. 3 Bulldogs edged themselves past the 3A No. 13 Spartans with a 4-2 win and a ticket to the State tournament.

The Spartans have graduated seven seniors from last year’s squad, but return Isaac Ward who led the team in goals last season. However, Ward, a Northern Michigan commit, is optimistic going into this season.

“We lost some great players, but I think the younger ones see that, too. They are using it as an opportunity to show everyone what they’ve got,” he said. As Ward mentioned, even though the Spartans lost a dominating senior class, they are fueled by a talented group of juniors consisting of, among others, Jack Donahue and Jacob Holland.

Nonetheless, the boys all have one goal in mind: making it to the State tournament. The Pleasant Valley Boys Soccer team is yet to make an appearance at the State tournament, but many believe this could be the year. Holland commented, “We have the team chemistry and drive we’ve never had before as a program.”

Although the soccer season has just begun, the Spartans have already proven themselves to be a team to look out for. On Monday night, with the feeling of defeat still fresh in their minds, this year’s No. 11 ranked Spartans shut-out the No. 5 Bulldogs 3-0 at Spartan Stadium.

Ward snuck-in a penalty kick past Bettendorf’s goalkeeper, Micah Poole, in the 20th minute: 1-0.

11 minutes later, Ward passed to Holland who ran the ball down the field to slip another shot past Poole: 2-0.   

Then, in the 53rd minute, Zach Morel scored the final goal of the game, and the Spartans finished 3-0 against their crosstown rivals: the Bettendorf Bulldogs.  

Ward knew this early season win was crucial for team morale. “After losing the first game of the season to [Dubuque] Wahlert, we really needed this win,” he said. “Not only does it help our confidence, but beating a team seeded higher than us this early on will help boost our seed in substate rankings.” 

The Spartans –currently 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the MAC– are looking to win the Mississippi Athletic Conference [MAC] title and a coveted ticket to the state tournament. Be sure to stay up to date with all of the Spartan Boys soccer scores on the Shield’s scoreboard section.