Pacers boys soccer makes history with conference title
The Switzerland County Pacer varsity soccer team made history this week, as the team picked up three key ORVC wins to guarantee themselves as least a share of the conference title — the first for boys soccer in school history.
The past week’s action:
Shawe Memorial
On Thursday, September 15th, the Pacers beat the Shawe Memorial Hilltoppers by a score of 3-1.
This was a highly anticipated match for both teams as the Pacers came in with a 10-0 record while the Hilltoppers were 9-1-1. For the first time this year the Pacers found themselves playing from behind, as Shawe scored a first half goal to go into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Switzerland County adjusted to the Shawe game plan and came out in the second half to seal the win with three goals. Both teams had 11 shots in the game. Shawe had seven shots on goal to Switzerland County’s six.
Scoring for the Pacers was led by Levi Curlin with two goals; while Aiden Griffith contributed a goal. Cooper Todd and Jacob Williams each had one assist.
“We were very pleased with the focus of the team coming into the game and the fact that we maintained that focus through halftime,” head coach David Todd said. “It was another solid outing both offensively and defensively.”
South Ripley
On Saturday, September 17th, the Pacers beat the South Ripley Raiders by a score of 8-1.
“We really came ready to play with the right mindset,” coach Todd said. “The scoring started early in the game and was consistent throughout the half as we led 5-0 at the break. The second half saw three more Pacer goals and one goal for the Raiders.”
Cooper Todd led the offense with four goals in the contest; while Ashton Purvis had two goals. Aiden Griffith and Grant Hall each contributed a goal.
Levi Curlin had three assists in the match; while Landon Duckworth and Austin Johns each had an assist.
Southwestern
On Monday, September 19th, it was a showdown of ranked teams as the #6 Pacers beat the #12th-ranked Southwestern Rebels 3-2 to remain unbeaten and clinch at least a share of the ORVC conference title.
“This was a big win for the Pacers against a good Southwestern team who can cause a lot of problems with how we play,” Todd said. “Any time you play Southwestern you have to be ready because their kids are skilled soccer players who are well coached. They are always going to be in games. We were proud of the resilience of our kids and the ability to adjust throughout the game.”
Cooper Todd had two goals and one assist in the match; while Levi Curlin added one goal and two assists.
Pacer goalie Aiden Furnish recorded eight critical saves in the match.
Switzerland County is now 13-0-0 on the season and 10-0-0 in the ORVC.
Switzerland County’s next game is this Saturday as they host the Henryville Hornets at 5 p.m. This will be the first of three home games in a row to end the regular season.