Greenwood Christian’s Bo Campbell, left, reacts after scoring the lone goal of Thursday’s regional semifinal against Scecina.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
Greenwood Christian stuck to its strengths over the course of Thursday’s Class A regional semifinal match, and as a result, it’s continuing on in the postseason.
The fifth-ranked Cougars’ 1-0 victory over visiting Scecina guarantees they’ll be back in action as part of Saturday afternoon’s regional final at Knightstown against No. 12 Oldenburg Academy.
Eleven minutes and 29 seconds into Thursday’s match, senior forward Caden Camden, GCA’s leader in assists this season, connected with the Cougars’ top goal scorer in junior midfielder Bo Campbell for what proved to be the difference.
It was Camden’s ninth assist and Campbell’s 22nd goal.
“I was right place, right time,” Campbell said. “They took it downline across the middle, I was just open and a simple tap in.”
Greenwood Christian wound up holding a decisive advantage in shots on goal (16-6) but failed to fully separate itself from Scecina despite working to get in position for its share of quality looks.
“We should have scored a lot more,” Campbell said.
The Crusaders’ collective hustle and quickness were among the main reasons they didn’t.
Despite entering the match two wins under .500, Scecina (8-11) had outscored its opponents by a sum of 65-26 this season. Three of its losses were by a single goal. In other words, the Crusaders’ record by no means was an indication of the skill they brought to the pitch.
“We just wanted to play wide, get down to the line and then cross it in. That was kind of the key,” Camden said. “And we had to make sure the defense stayed compact, and don’t let anything over them or through them.
“We watched film, and we saw they like to bring in a bunch of guys in the middle. We found the open guys, we just struggled with the finish. We had our chances.”
Over the final 40 minutes, GCA outshot Scecina, 8-2 — the most memorable attempt one from Campbell that glanced off the left goal post in the 69th minute and prevented the Cougars from doubling their lead.
“The first half, we did good possessing and playing up the middle. We just couldn’t finish,” Campbell said. “In the second half, not as much. We kind of let down a little bit.”
Maybe not GCA’s finest 80 minutes of soccer this season, but again, the Crusaders played a role in that.
“I think the key tonight was staying focused throughout the game, being one step ahead of the opponent and making sure they don’t sniff any opportunity,” first-year Greenwood Christian coach Kefil Tenouewa said. “I’m disappointed more shots didn’t go in, but I’m very happy we got the win.”
Greenwood Christian boys soccer has a history of playing make-or-break postseason matches at Knightstown. It’s the site of some of the program’s most memorable triumphs, as well as some of its most heart-splintering setbacks.
In addition, numerous Cougar squads have faced Oldenburg Academy in mid-October matches with the season on the line.
GCA has won two consecutive regional titles; the Twisters accomplished the same feat in 2013 and 2014.
Something’s got to give.
