Draws produce interesting sectional tilts

The draws for the boys' and girls' 15th annual IHSAA Soccer State Tournament series were made yesterday – throwing up one outstanding early round tie.

The Jeffersonville and New Albany boys' sectionals (59 and 60 respectively) kick off on Thursday, Oct. 9, with the finals on Oct. 11.

The Jeffersonville girls' sectional - comprising a record nine teams this year, with the addition of newcomers Salem, Silver Creek and Christian Academy of Indiana - starts Oct. 13, with the final on Oct. 18.

There are no prizes for guessing the tie of the early rounds, with New Albany's Lady Bulldogs being drawn against Providence in what is effectively a quarter-final matchup. Both teams have beaten reigning sectional champion Floyd Central this year, and both are in fine form going into post-season.

Pioneers coach Dave Smith is also director of coaching at girl travel soccer outfit Net-Surfers, and Bulldogs boss Julie Deuser coaches there also.

"Coach Julie has been with the Net-Surfers for many years and has done a marvelous job for us, just as she and assistant coach Jason Crane have in their short time with the Bulldogs," said Smith. "We're pleased with the draw, and have great respect for the New Albany team and coaching staff."

Coach Deuser said she believes they are prepared for “any team out there.”
“I like doing things the hard way,” she said. “ I think that the game against Providence will be a challenge, but it is not something we can't succeed at. These girls have worked hard all season and I believe they can beat any team they play.
“I spoke with the girls and they are ready for the challenge. They are pumped up and ready to go as far as they can.”

And if anyone wants to search for clues as to how the game might pan out, they can catch the pair this evening at Providence (action starts at 5.30 p.m.).

Floyd Central should have a reasonably comfortable trip to the finals, as they have drawn the winner of North Harrison and Corydon in the quarter-final. The winner will face Jeffersonville or Christian Academy of Indiana in the semi-final.

In other first round ties, Salem will take on Silver Creek, with the winner going on to play New Albany or Providence.

The girls' winner at Jeffersonville will play the winner of the Columbus North sectional in the regional final on Oct. 22.

In the Jeffersonville boys sectional, the Red Devils and Providence will be happy to have avoided each other this year after last year's epic semi-final battle. Holders Jeff take on Rock Creek for the opportunity to face Christian Academy, who they met in last year's final.

The second semi-final will see Providence against Charlestown in a repeat of last year's first round game, which the Pioneers won comfortably. Pioneers coach Adam Giovenco said, "One thing I can say for sure is I'm much happier about playing Charlestown in the semi-finals as opposed to the play-in game on Thursday. We can't overlook anybody at this point in the season though, but having said that, I think we will be ready to play."

The New Albany sectional will see the hosts most likely meet Floyd Central in the semi final after they were drawn to play North Harrison, while the Highlanders will face Corydon.

What that means is that either Salem or Silver Creek will reach the final for the first time.

The boys' sectional winners progress to the four team regional finals (with Seymour and Madison winners) at Floyd Central on Oct. 15 and 18. The victors of that progress to semi-state at Evansville Central on Oct. 25.

The boys' and girls' state finals will be held at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis on November 1.

Sectional draws
Boys: Jeffersonville (5) Match 1 – Jeffersonville vs. Rock Creek Academy. Match 2 – Charlestown vs. Providence. Match 3 – Christian Academy of Indiana vs. Winner of Match 1.Championship – Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3
New Albany (6) Match 1 – New Albany vs. North Harrison. Match 2 – Floyd Central vs. Corydon Central. Match 3 – Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2. Match 4 – Salem vs. Silver Creek. Championship – Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4.
Girls' sectional at Jeffersonville (9) Match 1 – North Harrison vs. Corydon Central. Match 2 – Silver Creek vs. Salem. Match 3 – New Albany vs. Providence. Match 4 – Christian Academy of Indiana vs. Jeffersonville. Match 5 – Floyd Central vs. Winner of Match 1. Match 6 – Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3. Match 7 – Winner of Match 4 vs. Winner of Match 5. Championship – Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 7.

Coaches vs Cancer success

A large turnout at the Providence/Jeffersonville boys' varsity game on Saturday ensured more than $2,000 for the "Coaches vs. Cancer" fundraising effort.

The money raised from gate receipts and raffles will go towards Livestrong — the organization founded in 1997 by champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. As reported last week, the idea of a Coaches vs. Cancer game -- which was held in conjunction with Providence's senior night -- came about as a response to what has been an epidemic among parents of the team’s players.

“We have had at least five parents affected by cancer in the last five years,” said Pioneers coach Adam Giovenco. “ It was just our little way of saying we care.”
The winner of the Manchester United Henrik Larsson jersey was Penny Neace, mom of freshman Max from the JV team.

Team mates battle for bragging rights

They're the best of team mates in the spring, but come fall they're the fiercest of rivals.

And tomorrow (Monday), that rivalry will be firmly in the spotlight when 11 members of Southern Indiana United's U18 boys' soccer team feature as New Albany hosts Providence at Prosser field (varsity 5.30 p.m. kick off).

The SIU players --- all seniors -- are split six for the Bulldogs and five for the Pioneers.

In the red and black corner, you have Sheldon Albertson, Alex Blum, Stephan Kossis, Chris Newland, Keegan O'Connor and Zacharia Litzelswope.

In the blue and white corner, you've got Nathan Marshall, Ben Hughes, Steven Meyer, Andrew McCartin and Nick Knear-Bell. Another, Patrick Leistner, also played with the team in the past.

Add to that the fact that many of the schools' underclassmen play for other SIU teams and you've got all the ingredients for a tasty tie.

New Albany forward Stephan Kossis said that the Providence clash is one they always love playing because it gives the winner bragging rights for the remainder of the year.

"It's an advantage playing against Ben, Nathan, and the other guys from SIU who are my teammates in the spring but my rivals in the fall," said Kossis. " I know their tendencies and their weaknesses and it enables us to exploit them. Throughout the game we are pushing and shoving, but at the end of the game we all shake hands and laugh it up."

Trying to blank out Kossis and the rest of the Bulldogs will be Providence defender Nick Knear-Bell, who says he is looking forward to playing against his 'own team'.

"Since I have played with them, I think that will give me an advantage in helping to defend Providence's goal," said Knear-Bell. "Providence has the majority of the defenders and mid-fielders and only a couple of the offense from our SIU team. Come on out and watch one of the most exciting soccer games of the fall high school season."

There hasn't been much of an opportunity for either team’s players to brag in recent years, as the last two games between the sides have ended deadlocked (0-0 in '07 and 2-2 in '06).

Providence are 7-4 on the season after last night's 4-0 thumping of rivals Jeffersonville, with all of its losses coming to Kentucky opposition, including state champion St Xavier (2-0) and Oldham County (4-2).

New Albany, meanwhile, comes into the game in good heart after a morale boosting 3-2 victory over Jeffersonville on Tuesday, and a 1-1 tie against Eastern High School -- securing a share of the spoils after a goal in the dying seconds -- on Thursday.

Photo above - Team mates become rivals(from left to right): Zacharia Litzelswope, Steven Meyer, Keegan O'Connor, Nick Knear-Bell, Sheldon Albertson, Ben Hughes, Stephan Kossis, Andrew McCartin, Alex Blum, Nathan Marshall, Chris Newland and Patrick Leistner.