Seton Catholic’s boys soccer team already is looking ahead in its schedule.
By no means are the Cougars looking past their 1A Trico League opponents, but rather, looking ahead to the postseason.
That’s because for the first time in five seasons, the Cougars are on the cusp the playoffs following Thursday’s 3-2 home league win over La Center.
With three regular-season games remaining, Seton (10-1 overall, 8-1 league) can clinch a playoff berth as early as next Thursday against league-leader Toledo/Winlock. The top three teams advance to districts.
“League play is not where (the season) ends,” senior defender Josh Freitag said.
For the team’s four seniors — Freitag, Seth Moore, Blake Beckwith and Patrick Ryan — they’ve not only watched the program grow, but they’ve been instrumental in it.
In 11 games, Seton’s outscored opponents 58-13 and for the first time in program history, a junior varsity team was formed after 28 players turned out, second-year coach Amanda Chase said.
But that postseason mentality for the varsity is starting to take shape, and they get a taste of it daily.
“Every time we practice,” said Moore, who had a goal and an assist Thursday, “we practice to play in the postseason.”
Moore assisted younger brother, David Moore’s first-half goal that gave Seton a 2-0 halftime lead on the Wildcats. His goal in the 48th minute pushed the lead to 3-0.
Through 11 games, Seton’s outscored opponents 58-13 with three shutouts over its four games.
Sean Fox of La Center ended the three-game shutout streak with his goal in the 53rd minute, and Brendon Leach’s penalty kick made it 3-2 in the 76th.
First-year Wildcats coach Sanjay Prasad figured it’d be a rebuilding year for his program given the senior-laden team that reached state and played for the 1A District title in 2018.
“But we’re competing,” Prasad said. “We’re a young team and we still have opportunities … We’re outside as the second 4 (spot in league), but there’s still hope for us.”
