COLUMBUS
The Seymour boys soccer team could not play spoiler Tuesday on Class 3A No. 20-ranked Columbus North’s senior night in what could potentially be a sectional semifinal preview.
The Owls traveled to Columbus on a three-game winning streak and just one loss in seven road games. North’s 2-0 win capped Seymour’s streak and pushed the Bull Dogs’ streak to six consecutive wins.
North senior Jack Robertson got the scoring started early with a goal in the eighth minute. Andrew Goble assisted to Alex McGill 2 minutes, 15 seconds, into the second half to put Seymour in a two-goal deficit.
“Their first goal was a really good shot,” Seymour coach Matt Dennis said. “We could have done better to pressure. I think in that instance, we were still filling out the game. When we go and look at the tape, I hope we’ll see that it was nothing more than, we just need to step in a little bit.”
The Owls (11-3-2) could not find a way to come back with in the final 37:45. They strung together a few solid possessions to give themselves some shots on goal but could not punch one in.
“For much of the match, I thought we were well organized,” Dennis said. “We just couldn’t get that final ball to be perfect to set us up for that goal that we needed. It was really close at times. I think there is enough for us to look at and learn from, but it could have been just a little bit better.”
Seymour goalkeeper Elliott Clark posted five saves on North’s seven shots on goal. The Owls had six shots on goal.
Both teams have one more regular-season game left before playing in the Seymour Sectional on Oct. 3. Seymour will play Bedford North Lawrence before facing Jeffersonville in the first round of the sectional, and North (11-4-1) will face Carmel before seeing New Albany in the first round of the sectional.
The first-round winners will meet in the semifinals Oct. 3.
“We have to handle Jeffersonville,” Dennis said. “We don’t get another shot at North if we don’t handle our business Tuesday night. Our focus is not at all on Columbus North right now. Our focus has to be on Bedford North Lawrence and making sure we can finish as high in the conference as we can. Then, our focus is onto Jeffersonville.”
