Seymour’s Nicole Rebber sends a ball across the field to Kate Connell during the Owls’ home game against Columbus East on Thursday.
For the second game in a row, the Seymour girls soccer team battled to a 0-0 tie.
Thursday night was a home game against conference foe Columbus East, and both teams had opportunities to score but were never able to capitalize.
In a scoreless first half, East put pressure on Seymour several times, but the Owls answered the challenge on the defensive third each time. The Olympians had three first half shots on the Owls.
“We’re going to hit some shots, but we don’t want to give up any that are at the top of the box,” head coach Greg Musser said. “We set our (defensive) line a little higher today.”
The second half was a different story.
The Owls were the more aggressive team, and Rachel Lenart made some good runs around the field that had the Olympics on the back pedal.
“One of the coaching points today was simply heart. Show me some heart today,” Musser said. “I thought the first 40 minutes, Columbus East had the best run of play. But for most of the second half, we were the more aggressive team. We got to the ball quicker and found some opportunities.”
It was also senior night for Seymour on Thursday. Chloe Auleman, Maddy Busby, Nicole Rebber, Maely Schrader, Kate Connell, Delaney Delgadillo, Jessica Hougland and Brooke Trinkle were all honored before the game. Hougland recorded his ninth shutout this season in goal.
Over the previous two seasons, the Owls had graduated 25 players, so Musser has been impressed by the abilities of this group of seniors to lead the team to an overall record of 9-4-3 and 4-1-1 in Hoosier Hills Conference.
“They’ve been around, they know what the expectation is,” Musser said. “It’s leading by example for the kids. They’re going to move in practice, and I think our young kids have really responded to what the seniors have shown them. Very proud of the way our seniors have led by example.”
With that 4-1-1 record, the Owls finished third in the HHC behind Columbus East (4-0-2) and Floyd Central (5-0-1).
Next up is sectionals for the Owls, who will face New Albany at Bulldogs Field on Tuesday. Seymour beat New Albany 4-2 earlier this season.
“We’re going to try to figure out what they can do differently against us,” Musser said. “It’s just executing some tactical things. Now, it’s just a matter of getting mentally set and ready for the task at hand.”
East won the JV game 3-0 on Thursday.
The Seymour boys soccer team closed out its Hoosier Hills Conference schedule with a 1-0 win at Bedford North Lawrence on Thursday night.
Miles Chandler scored for the Owls and Logan Westfall had the assist.
Goalie Will Smith made six saves.
The Owls finished third in the HHC with a 3-2-1 record.
The youth game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Saturday’s scheduled home game against Franklin has been canceled, leaving the Owls with a 6-7-1 record heading into Wednesday’s 7 p.m. game against the Stars in the Seymour Sectional.
Crothersville defeated Columbus Christian 19-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-13 Thursday night at the Tigers’ Den.
The Tigers were 82-92 with 25 aces with Carlee Walker 33-35-17 and Elayna Ord 12-15-3.
The Tigers were 69-81 in attacks with 12 kills. Pearl Shirley was 20-25-5 and Zoey Prince 14-16-2.
Walker had 14 digs and Makenna Newberry had 7 assists.
The Tigers are 7-17 and will play at Shawe Memorial (Madison) tonight at 6 p.m., then compete in a tournament at Rising Sun on Saturday starting at 10.
The Trinity Lutheran volleyball team suffered a 25-13, 25-20, 25-20 loss at Providence on Thursday night.
Bailey Tabeling led the Cougars with 21 kills and Carson Bowling had eight. Addison Darlage had three aces, while Bowling and Jordan Brewer each had one.
Laura Roeder had 17 digs, Darlage eight and Drew Hubbard three. Darlage also had 28 assists.
The Cougars (17-7) will host Floyd Central on Monday night, making it Trinity’s third-ranked opponent as Providence is ranked No. 5, Floyd Central is No. 9 and Greensburg is No. 32 in survey of coaches.
