On Saturday, Oct. 12, emotions were high for the Bloomington South boys’ soccer team as they celebrated their first sectional title since 2021. The victory left the Panthers feeling ecstatic as compared to the conclusion of the 2023 season, which ended with a last-minute 1-0 loss to Center Grove in the sectional finals.
This Thursday, the team, currently ranked #4 in the nation with a record of 17-1-0, will host the #1 nationally ranked and top-seeded Center Grove (18-0-0) in a highly anticipated rematch during the regional semifinals. The Trojans are the only team to defeat the Panthers this year, handing them a 3-0 loss in August. The Panthers are determined to turn the tables this time around, aiming to avoid ending their season with a bitter taste in their mouths.
The main focus for the Panthers headed into this matchup? Staying calm.
“We definitely have to keep our cool the whole game. We [might not] get calls [that go our way], and that’s just part of the game,” senior captain Joe DeGiorgio said.
The ability to adapt and remain focused will be crucial as the Panthers navigate the competitive game ahead.
The excitement surrounding the upcoming game is evident, with students spreading the word by reposting the game graphic with the hashtag “FillTheHill,” referring to South’s soccer field. Senior captain Stefan Bartlett expressed, “[Being nationally ranked] makes us really proud. We’ve never been in a position like this before, and the team is really, really good this year. Especially going into this game with [Center Grove] as the #1 seed, we kind of feel like an underdog for the first time in a while, so it’s a good feeling.”
Embracing the underdog mentality, the Panthers see this rematch as an opportunity to showcase their skills and improvements. Motivating the team for such a significant game falls on the captains, who understand the responsibility of keeping players engaged and focused
DeGiorgio said, “[We’ve been] getting [the team] ready [by] keeping them positive, getting them excited for the game and really keeping them in a positive mindset [as they] look up to us. If we’re positive, the whole team is positive.”
Bartlett noted the importance of maintaining focus during practice, stating, “[We’ve also been] making sure our practices stay super serious and [making] sure that we’re focused and getting [things done, not just goofing around.”
In a post-game interview with The Herald-Times, head coach Corbin Calvert wasted no time in looking ahead to the next match, emphasizing the desire to beat Center Grove. “The main goal is we want to beat Center Grove. We want to beat them real bad. But this [win] is good.”
Senior captain Brayden Doyle highlighted the Panthers’ strengths, stating, “We just have so many good players. No team can mark every single great threat we have, and no team has enough attackers to get through our defense. Overall, the talent on our team speaks for itself.” A demonstration of this depth and skill will be crucial against the undefeated Trojans.
Building on last year’s loss, the Panthers have spent more time together this season, developing strong team chemistry.
“Last year we came [up] a little short… [but] now we all [play] club [soccer] together, so we’ve been with each other a lot longer [this season],” Bartlett said. “[We] understand each other more as soccer players.”
The Panthers enter the regional semifinal game with momentum from their recent 4-1 victory over Martinsville. Junior Tom Henry Berry’s late first-half goal sparked a strong second-half performance, leading to three additional goals after the break and securing the Panthers’ sectional victory against the Artesians.
With the team’s confidence high, the Panthers are more than ready to take on the undefeated Trojans on Thursday. As they step onto the field, they carry not only the lessons learned from their previous game against Center Grove but also a collective determination to rewrite the narrative and come out on top.
The game will begin at 6 p.m., with tickets available for online purchase at the following link: https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=98391
