The Mount Vernon boys’ soccer team opened the season with a tie and a loss last week.

On Tuesday, April 1, the Mustangs tied Bellevue Marquette, 1-1.

“Marquette is a basketball school, and won state, and we saw some basketball-sized players,” Mount Vernon Coach Nate Grosse said.

The Mustangs had a lot of chances, but only put one in the net thanks to Gavin Plathe on a set-piece in the second half.

“We created a lot of chances, and dominated possession, but could not get the ball to go in,” Grosse said.

On Thursday, April 3, Mount Vernon lost at Iowa City Regina, 3-0.

The Mustangs were hurt by two penalty shots off odd plays – one on a 50/50 ball in the box, and the other on a handball. The final Regina goal came with the Mount Vernon offense pushing and the Regals taking a long bouncing shot late in the game.

“Not often do you lose 3-nil and leave feeling you had a chance to win it,” Grosse said. “The scoreline doesn’t look great, but the soccer we played was pretty decent.”

Mount Vernon had four shots on goal, two by Carter Gadberry.

Girls

Like the boys, the Mount Vernon girls started off 0-11, tying Bellevue Marquette, 0-0, on Tuesday, April 1, at Mount Vernon.

The game was called after halftime because of lightning.

“We had a good number of shots,” Mount Vernon coach Angie Knies said. “That propelled us into the next game.”

On Friday, April 4, No. 15 (2A) Mount Vernon lost to No. 10 (3A) Iowa City Liberty, 4-1.

Senior Clare Nydegger had the only goal for the Mustangs, tying the game 1-1 in the first half. But the Lightning had three second-half goals.

“I’m really proud of how we came back after not being able to play a full first game,” Knies said. “I heard that’s the best we’ve played against (Liberty).”