Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Devils lock horns with Pioneers

The regular season clashes between Jeffersonville and Providence boys' varsity teams can be a good indicator as to how the legendary sectional battles are going to go, and this Saturday should prove to be no exception.

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."

Girls set for battle royal

The girls' varsity results in southern Indiana to date are pointing to a battle royal when sectionals come round in October.

First you had Providence knock off reigning sectional champion Floyd Central 3-2 in a barnburner of a game two weeks ago.

Then you had new kids on the block, New Albany, beat the Highlanders 3-2 last week, informing anyone who hadn't already listened that they will be in the mix come sectionals, which commence at Jeffersonville on October 13.

All of which you will imagine will have Floyd Central coach Lewie Stevens and his talented bunch all fired up when it comes to the business of retaining its title. That crown is one the Highlanders have split 2-2 with Providence over the past four years, winning the last two.

And now with the Lady Bulldogs getting stronger under new coach Julie Deuser, we’ve got a third team with real prospects of lifting the hardware. (Let’s not also forget that Corydon Central, Jeffersonville, North Harrison, Salem and Silver Creek are involved, and getting stronger.)

So you may want to catch New Albany’s visit to coach Dave Smith’s Providence next Tuesday (Sept 30, action starts 5.30 p.m.) – a game definitely worth putting in your diaries if you’re looking for clues as to how post-season will shape up.