KNIGHTSTOWN
George Huizinga made his way from player to player on Saturday, wrapping each in a hug and thanking him for the soccer season they experienced together.
The Greenwood Christian Academy boys coach wanted his team to understand what had been accomplished instead of what hadn’t.
It wasn’t an easy sell.
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GCA’s 1-0 loss to top-ranked Seton Catholic in the afternoon semifinal of the Class A regional at Knightstown ended a 14-5-1 season. The seventh-ranked Cougars were making their third regional appearance in four years.
The lone goal, scored by the Cardinals’ Louie Falcone with only 1:11 remaining in the first half, held up despite the Cougars getting seven shots on goal in the second half.
“The way we passed and the way we played was just remarkable,” Greenwood Christian senior midfielder Jack Kovacs said. “It’s just how soccer is. It’s rough on us because we had high expectations this year.
“If that’s how it happens, it’s fine. We all played our hearts out and did what we could.”
It appeared the squads would be scoreless going into the half, but Seton Catholic, making its second regional appearance in as many years, put the ball into the right side of the goal despite the best efforts of GCA junior goalkeeper Gabe Vessely.
Kovacs described how he saw it:
“Some deflection flew to the other side and there was nobody there,” he said. “(Falcone) tapped it in.”
The Cougars had another half to tie the score and possibly take the lead. Two of Greenwood Christian’s best looks were kicks from senior George Apgar and junior Josue Mier.
Apgar’s boot 13:46 into the second half was caught by the Seton Catholic goaltender; shortly thereafter, Mier’s shot up high was flicked up and over the crossbar by the Cardinal keeper. Griffin Huizinga’s kick with 18.6 seconds left sailed straight into the goalkeeper’s grasp.
Greenwood Christian hoped to make the championship match at Knightstown for the first time, but it wasn’t to be.
“It was a tough match. Both teams battled hard,” coach Huizinga said. “I think we had better possession. We played good soccer, but that’s the crazy thing about it. You can keep possession and maybe outplay a team, but if you can’t produce you can’t produce.
“It’s unfortunate.”
The loss represented the final high school match for seven Greenwood Christian Academy seniors, including forward Griffin Huizinga, a four-year starter who finished his career with 42 goals and 36 assists.
