By Rex Cox
A long drought – since 2016 for the boys and 2002 for the girls – dragged on before the Eagles brought soccer sectional championships back to the nest.
New techniques, fresh regimens and a newborn confidence have launched the soccer teams straight into their groove.
The girls and boys soccer teams are coming off championship seasons where they combined for 34 wins, accomplishing new feats and establishing a new standard for Delta High School soccer.
“I would just say everyone’s bought in,” senior captain Ruth Sherck says. “We’ve had some of this talent, and a lot of success there, but I think just having all the right pieces and everyone wanting to be successful.”
All missing pieces got filled for the lady Eagles as they went on a tear this year, winning 19 of their 21 matches. They made it to the IHSAA Class 2A final four, something that has never been accomplished in school history.
The girls lost to eventual state champions Mishawaka Marian 2-0. The ladies finished as the #33 team in Indiana and atop of the Hoosier Heritage Conference for the first time since 2002.
A key part to this season was the Eagles’ strong defense as they only allowed a total of eight goals over all contests.
Led by a senior captain goal keeper, many might think Ruth Sherck is the standalone defensive star. In reality many kicks didn’t even end up with the ball reaching near the net.
This was due to a revamped defensive back line consisting of Brianna Jones at left back, Adoree Smith at centerback, Aubree Jarrells at right back, and Grier Backus at center defensive mid.
“They did a great job of shutting down the other team …. My defenders don’t push up as much as other teams might,” girls head coach Mason Turner said. “So they’re not really scoring a lot of goals and getting a lot of assists, but they’re putting in the work to keep that ball away from our keeper and to get it back into our offense’s hands to score goals.”
On the opposite side of the pitch you might notice a notable freshman scoring goals left and right. That freshman’s name is Avery Jarrells.
Avery led the offensive attack at the striker position, scoring 59 goals and racking up 28 assists.
Getting one on one with the goalie and finding the back of the net seemed to be a task she could do in her sleep, which helped the Eagle resurgence.
One could argue that what has really led to this was not the scoring and not the strong defense. It was the way they played more as a family.
“I think we’re just more of a team, like everybody’s there doing it for each other,” Avery said. “It’s not just for yourself.”
This was also a theme for the boys’ strong season this fall.
“We’re a team, we’re a family, we’ve always been around each other for the past seven years … so I think that’s helped us a lot in our success,” junior Senad Selimovic said.
The boys kicked their way into an impressive season, winning 15 of their 18 matches. The Eagles sat atop the sectional for the first time since 2016. They eventually fell to nationally ranked Guerin Catholic 5-1 in the regional.
Having a better overall practice regimen has helped the boys dial in and achieve more postseason success.
“In our practice, we have more punishments. If someone does something they shouldn’t, we have to run,” junior Jed Vanator said. “That kind of helps us lock in. It makes practice go well.”
With many returning starters the Eagles look to continue this newfound success and maybe even go farther next year.
Some boys even think that they have a chance at a state title.
“I want to win a state chip next year for sure. I think we have a chance,” sophomore Keller Bartlett said.
The boys are led by head coach Tony Pierce, who has brought in a new gameplan that took a minute to grasp but had the Eagles on a run this year.
“He brought in like a whole new set of tactics and we really move the ball a lot better now,” junior Cooper Pierce said. “I think some of the guys that didn’t play with him before …, it took them a little while to grow into it, but they’ve really got the hang of it now.”
One downfall to the end of both seasons, however, was the fact that both teams are graduating many seniors.
The girls’ team will take an especially big hit.
“We have 13 seniors on the team, so I don’t know how our team is going to be next year,” freshman Adoree Smith said. “And we have like four players coming up from eighth grade, which should make our team a little bit better, but I don’t know.”
The boys remain confident that they will continue this reign.
“Well, we’re losing a lot of guys and I don’t think we’re gonna get that many…,” Vanator said. “We can still be a good team and contenders maybe for state. Be competitive for sure.”
