Southwestern Indiana had five boys soccer teams win sectional championships, highlighted by North taking out the defending state champions.
EVANSVILLE — North coach Matt Sturgeon felt the additional weight with each passing year.
His program wasn't lacking in success the previous decade. A handful of City championships and the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference crown in 2022. Nothing in the postseason though. The Huskies were continually looking across the sideline to other teams celebrating in October.
The team proved to be different for one significant reason: it bought in.
North defeated No. 6 Memorial 1-0 to win the Class 3A sectional championship on Saturday, Oct. 11 at EVSC Soccer Complex. It is the first title for the Huskies since 2016.
"I tell my coaching staff I’m tired of being the regular season warriors," Sturgeon said. "It was time to put another one in the trophy case."
The entire week showed a different North program. It won a track meet against Reitz in the opener before winning a physical battle versus Harrison in the semifinal.
The championship was different. The Huskies were required to win in front of their own net.
Despite constant pressure, North kept Memorial off the scoreboard. The Huskies didn't allow a goal in 174 minutes against the Tigers this season (Memorial won via penalty kicks in September). The first meeting featured man marks on All-State forward Cohen Havill and All-State midfielder Ivan Bennett. North changed it up with a zone look and strengthened its midfield following an early barrage.
"It just took grit," senior midfielder Brooks Carroll said. "We are a bunch of guys who love to play together. We played the hardest we could to keep them out of our net. We talk about winning a sectional every year. To be a senior and lead this team, it means a lot."
North found its opening in the 15th minute. Gavin Vigolo slipped past a defender and crossed the ball into the box. Cameron Adcock connected for his fifth goal of the season. With the lead, the Huskies (16-3) doubled down on its ability to hold the Tigers off the scoreboard.
Memorial (16-3) dominated chances throughout ― shots on goal difference was 7-2 at halftime. But the defending Class 2A state champions found one or two defenders every time the ball entered the final third. North was the more cohesive team throughout the game.
The Tigers' senior class finishes its career with 63 victories and two state championship appearances.
"I felt like we had our chances," Memorial coach Bill Vieth said. "You've got to score a goal. We didn't get that part of the game done. This senior class has been great for us. It's a record any other program would die for. We're ending short of our goal, but it didn't change what they accomplished these last four years."
North travels to Jeffersonville for the 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday, Oct. 15. A moment nearly a decade in the making for a coaching staff and program all too accustomed to competing, but coming up short. This was the Huskies third championship game appearance since 2020.
Sturgeon believed this group was capable, more so in a year based on youth. But the Huskies fought tooth and nail to prove themselves worthy now. It showed the moment the opponent sent everything to net and came up empty.
"We made the appropriate changes, and it worked," Sturgeon said. "We really focused on our shape and defending in the zones each of them are in. The guys executed perfectly. They really gelled this year. Having Brooks and his leadership really picked this team up."
Other Southwestern Indiana boys soccer sectional finals
Class 2A: Vincennes Lincoln defeated Gibson Southern 1-0 in the championship at Washington. Jude Clark scored from 20 yards out with 34 minutes remaining for the lone goal. It is the first title for the Alices since 2012.
Class 2A: No. 8 Heritage Hills defeated Mater Dei 3-1 in the championship at Heritage Hills. Carter Payne scored a hat trick for the Patriots, while Jared Lannert had the Wildcats' lone goal. It is the first title for Heritage Hills since 2021.
Class 1A: No. 7 Northeast Dubois defeated No. 16 South Knox 1-0 in the championship at Northeast Dubois. It is the third straight title for the Jeeps.
Class 1A: No. 13 Forest Park defeated No. 18 Tell City 1-0 in the championship at Tell City. It is the first title for the Rangers since 2023.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 5 Evansville-area boys soccer teams win IHSAA sectional championships
Category: General Sports