Stephanie Croston

    The Seward boys' soccer team closed its season with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Lincoln Pius X in the District B-1 semifinals April 30.
     "It was their closest game of the season," Coach Jamie Opfer said of the 18-0 Thunderbolts.
     He said a different strategy developed by Assistant Coach Andy Christensen played a role in the close game, as did the possibility that Pius was looking past the Jays to the district finals.
     Pius scored both its goals in the first half, but Luke Garbers cut the lead in half with a goal in the second half.
     "Only one team could be happy," Opfer said. "This felt like a win even though it wasn't."
     He praised the play and leadership of the team's seniors-Aaron Powell, Robert Kuhlman, Zane Schaefer and Brogan Casey.
     Goalkeeper Garrett Vanis played one of his best games of the season, making some spectacular saves throughout, Opfer said.
     "I'm proud of how we responded through the year," he said.
     SHS finished the season with a 5-9 record.