No. 1 Providence Pioneers top Eagles 3-0
GARY FRANKLIN PHOTOPictured left center, senior Eagle John Schmitt (17) rises for a header driving the ball back toward the JCD offensive end. To his right, Eagle junior teammates Blake Straub (12) and Allen Hooton (15).
By Gary Franklin
SPORTS EDITOR
The JCD Eagle battle against the No. 1 state-ranked Providence Pioneers at the Switzerland County HS hosted IHSAA Class 1A Boys Soccer Regional on Thursday evening, Oct. 17, ended with a final score of 0-3, which brought the Jac-Cen-Del Eagle extended season drive to an end.
A wet and slickened playing surface made for less-than-perfect conditions for the regional soccer game action for players and supporters alike. Anxious players hit the field to be introduced and the game got underway near 7 p.m.
Despite a promising effort that found JCD largely controlling the ball in offensive-attack mode during the first 12+ minutes of the game, Providence scored a goal at the 26:47 to claim a 1-0 edge over JCD. That is where the score remained at the halftime break, as neither team could penetrate the others’ goalkeeper defensive efforts. At 26:09 of the second half, Providence struck for their second goal and added a final goal score at 14:57, resulting in an eventual Pioneer 3-0 game victory.
JCD had no reason to go away hanging their heads, as they had proven with season conference and sectional action that they truly belonged in extended season status. Many near misses with Pioneers hanging on them, the Eagles played with positivity throughout the game.
The JCD Eagle regional action roster included seniors Cord Comer, Jared Dickman, Austin Harmeyer, Sean Lynch, Derek Powers, John Schmitt, and Shane Youngman; juniors Allen Hooton, Cameron Horan, Keith Simon, Blake Straub, Riley Thomas, and Eli Wagner; sophomore, Troy Allen, Maverick Dwenger, Dillon Engel, Patrick Holt, Tyler Huff, Mason Powers, Matthew Seals, and Andrew Smith; and freshman Chris Douglas, Ben Harlemert and Aaron Powers.