Pacers stay perfect with Sectional championship over Shawe
It’s on the Regional for the Switzerland County Pacer boys varsity soccer team.
The Pacers were to play at Christian Academy of Indiana yesterday (Wednesday) — and a win in that game advances Coach David Todd’s Pacers to the Regional Championship game this Saturday, October 15th, at Forest Park High School in Ferdinand, Indiana.
Here’s a look at how the Pacers earned the first boys soccer Sectional title in school history:
Opening Round
On Tuesday, October 4th, Switzerland County opened Sectional play by beating the host Jac-Cen-Del Eagles 1-0.
“This game was hard fought by both teams, with the Eagles coming out ready to play and challenging us throughout the game,” Coach Todd said. “The teams went to the half scoreless; and we finally scored at the 34:30 mark of the second half with a well placed cross and a header into the back of the net. We were then able to hold on for victory.”
The winning goal was scored on a header by Cooper Todd off of an assist by Aiden Griffith.
The game also marked the 11th time in the season that the Switzerland County defense recorded a shutout in the 17 games that the team has played.
Semifinal
Last Wednesday, October 5th, the Pacers beat the South Ripley Raiders 4-0 to advance to the Sectional championship game.
Switzerland County came out aggressively and scored 11 seconds into the game. They then put two more shots in the back of the net in the first half and a final goal in the second half.
“Our offense moved the ball well while the defense recorded its’ 12th shutout of the year,” Coach Todd said. “The Pacers came focused in all phases of the game.”
Aiden Griffith and Cooper Todd each had two goals in the semifinal, with Todd also recording an assist. Levi Curlin also had an assist in the match.
The win moved the Switzerland County overall record to 18-0, and earned the squad a spot in the Sectional final against foe Shawe Memorial.
Championship
On Saturday evening the #5-ranked Pacers beat the #19-ranked Shawe Memorial Hilltoppers 3-0 to win the Sectional.
It is the first Sectional championship in boys soccer in school history.
“We came out strong and put together a complete game,” Coach Todd said. “The offense and defense showed up. We scored two goals in the first half and one in the second while recording our 13th clean sheet of the season.
Championship game goals were scored by Levi Curlin, Aiden Griffith, and Ashton Purvis; while Griffith also had an assist and Cooper Todd provided two assists.
Stats
As of Monday, October 10th, Switzerland County is ranked #5 in Class 1A in the state. The Pacers have been ranked as high as #2 during the season. Overall, without regard to school size, the Pacers are ranked #66 in Indiana.
Individually, sophomore Cooper Todd is ranked #4 in Class 1A in points scored (goals+assists) with 80 points, with 33 goals (2 points each) and 14 assists (1 point each).
Pacer senior Levi Curlin ranks #20 in Class 1A with 50 points — 15 goals and 20 assists.
Switzerland County goalkeeper Aiden Furnish ranks #6 in Class 1A, having allowed just seven goals 1,467 minutes of play in goal over 19 games.
The Pacers were to play Christian Academy of Indiana (New Albany) yesterday (Wednesday, October 12th) at the Warriors home field.
Christian Academy enters Regional play with an overall record of 11-5-3. The Warriors have scored 71 goals on the season and have given up 30.
Switzerland County stands with an overall record of 19-0-0, and have scored 95 goals on the year while allowing just seven.