Zionsville Community High School boys soccer coach Rob Jordan knows where his team’s drive came from this season.
“Last year’s loss in the first round of sectionals, after completing an undefeated regular season, was the start of the team’s success for this season,” Jordan said. “Our senior class was very determined not to allow that to happen this year. The team trained and stayed focus on team goals one step at a time.”
The Class 3A No. 2 Eagles reached the Indiana High School Athletic Association Boys Soccer 3A championship game before losing to No. 1 Chesterton 1-0 in overtime at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis Oct. 27. The teams were only 27.4 seconds from a shootout. Chesterton (21-0-2) was state runner-up in 2016 and 2017.
“Both teams allowed less than 10 goals for the entire season and were very good defensive teams,” Jordan said. “We did play well and put ourselves in good positions to get quality shots on goal and did have a 3-1 shot advantage against Chesterton. Chesterton’s goalie made three incredible diving, one-handed saves to keep us from scoring.”
The Eagles finished 17-2-3. Jordan said team chemistry was another key to success.
“This is a group who believed in each other, found strength through common struggles and truly gave of themselves to make the team successful,” Jordan said. “They are friends on and off the field and have developed friendships that will last for a lifetime.”
Junior Ben Weidner had team-highs of 12 goals and 11 assists. Senior goalkeeper Sam Allen had 14 shutouts.
“Sam Allen has been a great leader with an incredible work ethic — first at practice, last to leave,” Jordan said. “He is a competitive player who strives to make himself better in training every day. He was a great mentor to our younger goalkeepers.”
Allen is one of eight seniors, including seven starters, who will graduate in 2019. Seniors Kent Bailey, Mitch Cross, Patrick DaPuzzo, Griffen Kiley, Josh Longmire, Nate MacAbee and Jack Seamands and Allen all contributed to the team’s success.
“From the first day of training as freshmen, the coaching staff knew this class had potential to be special,” Jordan said.
