Indoor soccer is back in Cedar Rapids in a big way as your Raptors won the MASL2 North Division and clinched a playoff spot this weekend. In just their first season indoors, your Raptors faced growing pains and tough opponents to emerge as division champions.
"Coming into the season we knew we had a lot of talent, but we’re in a very hard division. It’s an amazing accomplishment that’s very deserving of them seeing them come together down the stretch," said Club Secretary Bobby Hurwitz, who also plays for the team. "Minus the last game we only gave up 14 goals in 3 games. This is a great feeling and we are ready to represent the city of Cedar Rapids the best we can, and we thank everyone for their awesome support this season!"
Going into last weekend's action in Rochester, your Raptors controlled their own destiny. We needed just one win in regulation to seal the division, and that's what we got Friday night, downing the Lancers 5-4.
The Lancers struck first, but the Raptors rallied, knocking home three straight goals to build a two score lead going into the fourth quarter. Then it was gut check time, as Rochester's extra attacker brought the game within one with just over five minutes to play. Jonah Dancer iced it for Cedar Rapids, scoring his second goal of the night with 1:08 remaining, off a nice pass from Angelo Oquendo. Rochester struck back immediately, but the defense held, and your Raptors cliched the division.
Oquendo had another assist on the night, bringing his season point total to 16 -- good for second on the team, tied with Pat Kelly. Jake Johnson continued his scorching hot play, netting two goals. Paco Gonzalez scored on Oquendo's first assist, and Ayo Adebayo assisted on Dancer's first goal. Dancer ends the season as the team's overall point leader, with 22.
(The Lancers got their revenge the next night, beating your Raptors 14-5 in what amounted to a tune-up game for Cedar Rapids. Jonah Dancer and Jesus Ramos each scored twice, with Sarrive Rukakiza -- who's been on a tear lately -- chipping in the fifth goal).
This weekend, your Raptors will head to Mesquite, Texas, a Dallas suburb that's hosting the MASL2 playoffs. The Raptor Report will keep you updated with playoff seeding and game previews as more information is available.