No need waiting until Saturday to witness a championship-caliber match at the Southwestern boys soccer sectional.
Two of the elite programs in Class A, No. 7 Greenwood Christian Academy and fourth-ranked Oldenburg Academy, play the opening match at 5 p.m.
The Twisters look to exact revenge after losing, 3-1, to the Cougars in the semifinals at last year’s Indianapolis Lutheran sectional. GCA and Oldenburg didn’t play one another in the regular season this season.
As was the case last year, the Cougars must defeat three quality opponents to advance to the Knightstown Regional.
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“It was kind of a mixed reaction when I saw the draw. I was excited, but kind of annoyed because it seems we always have a tough draw,” said GCA junior goalkeeper Gabe Vessely, who has 63 saves and has helped the team record eight shutouts.
“I would go out on a limb and say we might have the toughest sectional in Class A.”
Greenwood Christian comes in with an 11-3-1 record, the losses coming to 14th-ranked Bethesda Christian, No. 1 Seton Catholic and second-ranked University.
It’s a schedule that has prepared the Cougars for the challenges ahead.
Last season, coach George Huizinga’s squad claimed the program’s third sectional title before losing to Covenant Christian, 3-0, at regional.
“I was hoping we would get Oldenburg first,” Huizinga said. “I would rather be fresh and ready to go mentally. You might as well take the first one up front.”
Senior Griffin Huizinga leads the charge offensively for Greenwood Christian with 22 goals and 18 assists, while sophomore forward Jon Amador is next with 13 goals. Defensively, Vessely has allowed just 12 goals all season.
"We’re having a pretty good season," George Huizinga said. "We’re preparing them mentally. Teaching young kids how to be winners and be tough mentally, that’s a different aspect of the game.
"When these guys really start relying on each other and trusting each other, it really elevates their game to a new level."
Vessely likes the demands the coaches put on this team.
“It all starts at the coaching level. They’ve really instilled a work ethic in us,” he said. “Coach Huizinga tells us to always encourage one another. I think this is the best team that GCA has had. We have a ton of talent and play well together.”
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Class 3A Center Grove Sectional
Today
Greenwood vs. Roncalli, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
Southport vs. Center Grove, 5 p.m.
Franklin vs. Perry Meridian, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Whiteland vs. today’s winner, 5 p.m.
Tuesday’s winners, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
Class A Southwestern (Shelbyville) Sectional
Today
Greenwood Christian Academy vs. Oldenburg Academy, 5 p.m.
Indianapolis Lutheran vs. Hauser, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Today’s winners, 5 p.m.
Southwestern (Shelbyville) vs. Morristown, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
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Class 3A Center Grove Sectional
Players to watch: Center Grove — Luke Boha, Jack Neal, Nick Shirer, Garrett Wade; Franklin — Owen Atkison, Dylan Bastin, Owen Mahin, Ethan Pheifer; Greenwood — Aaron Carter, Jaden Clites, Jonathan Graber, Bastian Sanchez; Perry Meridian — Josh Hlei, Steven Hlun, BawiCung Liam; Roncalli — Vince Agramonte, William Bawi, Bryan Guerrero; Southport — Lal Nunpuia, Patrick Oberc, Dawt Thang
Outlook: Prohibitive favorite Center Grove outscored three sectional opponents (Roncalli, Perry Meridian and Southport) by a combined 15-2 during the regular season. Bounced from the postseason the past two years by Perry Meridian, the Trojans won’t be taking any opponent for granted. Historically, Center Grove is the state’s all-time leader in sectional championships with 22, while Franklin and Greenwood are at the opposite end of the spectrum, still looking for their first.
Class A Southwestern (Shelbyville) Sectional
Players to watch: Greenwood Christian Academy — Jon Amador, Griffin Huizinga, Gabe Vessely; Hauser — Sam Johnson, Kameron Lawson, Will Trotter; Indianapolis Lutheran — Fred Hamer, Garrin Hartson, Luke Hughes; Morristown – Kameron Crim, Ethan Kehl; Oldenburg Academy — Ben Kraus, Lucas McFee, Garriott Scott; Southwestern (Shelbyville) — Aidan Hartsell, Anick Hartsell, Jesse Mathena
Outlook: GCA can build immediate momentum with a win over the revenge-minded Twisters, who watched the Cougars celebrate a 3-1 victory during last year’s sectional. Greenwood Christian Academy played just one of its potential sectional opponents during the regular season, battling possible semifinal foe Indianapolis Lutheran to a 1-1 draw last Thursday.
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