This wasn’t an April Fools prank.
The Seward boys’ soccer team got its first win of the 2023 season April 1, defeating Holdrege 2-1 in a shootout at the Seward Invitational.
With the score knotted at 1-1 at the end of regulation, tournament rules sent the game directly to a shootout. The score was still tied after the first five attempts.
“We went into sudden death where you pick five different players to take the penalty kicks,” Coach Jamie Opfer said. “If one player makes it and the other doesn’t the game is finished.”
Landen Ford connected on the game-winner for the Bluejays.
The win put SHS in the championship game against Omaha Gross, and the Cougars took home the trophy with a 4-0 win.
“Omaha Gross was able to move the ball and connect passes, work the ball up the field and then play a through ball in between our defenders,” Opfer said. “Gross was a skilled team and we had a difficult time maintaining possession on the offensive end.”
The week started with a 2-1 loss to Lincoln Lutheran March 28. Kenix Leyva-Sigala scored Seward’s goal in the first half.
“Gabriel Cobian played a very good game again for us in goal,” Opfer said.
He said the Jays struggled to clear the ball when it was played into the SHS box. Both LLHS goals came in scramble situations.
“This is something we will continue to work on in practice,” he said.
The Jays were at Crete March 30 and fell 5-0 to the Cardinals. Crete had the wind in the first half and took advantage with four goals, Opfer said.
“Crete had a team that was disciplined, quick and skilled. We had a difficult time maintaining possession and working the ball up,” he said.
Seward (1-4) is scheduled to play at Schuyler Thursday, April 6, and at Waverly Saturday, April 8.
Opfer said the Jays continue to improve. This year’s team added several athletes who hadn’t played soccer before but who are making good contributions, he said, listing Max Summa, Daylon Salyer, Josh Keller, Nolan Hill, Gabriel Cobian and freshmen Kenix Leyva-Sigala and Ayden Seibert.
“Those returning from last year’s team have provided positive leadership and demonstrated a great work ethic this season,” he said, listing Dominic Torres, Josh Ringler, Lucas Howe, Nolan Stanton, Hank Hughes and Julius Justice.
