KNIGHTSTOWN -- There’s a saying that opportunity only knocks once. There were more times than that for Southwestern at Saturday’s Class A boys soccer regional championship.
Unfortunately, the Spartans weren’t able to turn opportunities into points in a 1-0 loss to Greenwood Christian.
GCA senior midfielder Patrick Taber scored the championship’s only goal on a long shot that caromed off the hands of Southwestern goalkeeper Michael Clements and over his head into the net in the 22nd minute of the first half.
Class A, No. 17 ranked Southwestern (14-3-2) was a surprise to some to make it to the regional championship held at Knightstown High School because of the scoring losses incurred over the last two graduations. The Spartans rallied from a 2-0 deficit to get by Covenant Christian on PK’s in the regional semifinal.
Head coach Taylor Meredith knew it would be a physical battle with Greenwood Christian and the Spartans offense just couldn’t get a break. The most painful example was when senior Gavin Shaw’s header off of a corner kick hit the net’s top bar and failed to go in.
Meredith says the Spartans success this season was fueled by finding scoring and an unselfishness that allowed the program to continue to flourish.
Southwestern will lose six seniors: Jonah DeArmitt, Conner Jewell, Gavin Shaw, Garreth Stringer, Owen Stringer and Eli Fix.
Greenwood Christian (10-7-3) will play 8th-ranked Forest Park (14-6-1) in the Class A Seymour Semistate on Saturday.
