The last time these two teams met -- in last year's sectional semi-final -- the Red Devils came out on top of a penalty shoot out following an exhausting, energy sapping 94 minutes which had the teams deadlocked at 1-1.
In regular season play, Jeffersonville also got the better of Providence with a 1-0 victory, so the Pioneers will be looking to turn around their fortunes when Saturday comes at Providence (6 p.m.).
The game, which is also Providence’s senior night, will be titled “PHS Coaches vs Cancer”. All gate money will be donated to cancer research.
“We have had at least five parents affected by cancer in the last five years,” said Pioneers coach Adam Giovenco. “ It's just our little way of saying we care. We are looking to have a great crowd for a great cause.”
Giovenco believes his team, now sitting at 6-4 this season, is gaining momentum coming into this week, having beat Madison 4-1 last night.
Providence midfielder Ben Hughes, who scored twice for the Pioneers against Madison last night (Tuesday), will be in action against rivals Jeffersonville Saturday.
"I have been fairly pleased as to how the season has gone so far," said coach Giovenco. "We had a poor showing in the Hoosier Cup, losing to two teams we should have beat, but we followed that up with a very good win against Jennings Co. 6-2, and a great effort against St. Xavier (ranked #3 in the country at the time)."
On the Jeffersonville game, Giovenco said they have had some great battles with their rivals over the last three or four years.
“No matter who has had the upper hand talent wise, it always seems to be a close game and I expect this to be no different,” he said. “ Ryan Bixler is a great coach and gets the maximum out of everybody on his team. He'll have them ready to play. We'll see if we can match their level of play.”
Jeffersonville, meanwhile, suffered defeat at the hands of New Albany last night (3-2)-- its senior night -- and coach Ryan Bixler says the team -- which is 5-6 at present -- has played "very inconsistent" this year.
"We are having trouble putting 80 good minutes out on the field. We have good 10 minute spurts here and there, but 10 minutes here and there doesn't amount to much. We definitely still have a lot of improving to do before we are playing at a high level consistently, and with only two weeks left in the season time is not on our side."
Bixler believes Providence are as strong as they have been in the last three or four years.
" I expect them to be our toughest opponent so far this year, and playing on their home field will make it even tougher," said Bixler. "It will take the best 80 minutes we are capable of playing to get a good result."
No comments:
Post a Comment