The Seymour Eagles wrapped up their preseason action in soccer play this week and can now start anticipating Tuesday’s season-opener at Cosby with total focus.
The Eagles’ scheduled scrimmage at Loudon this week was canceled due to inclement weather but their showdown with Knoxville triple-A power West gave SHS coaches some things to feel positive about while also highlighting some areas that need improvement before the games start counting for real next week.
While the Eagles were outscored 5-1 by the deep and talented Rebels from West High, first-year SHS head coach Bobby Norwood said he saw much to be encouraged about.
“It wasn’t bad,” said Norwood of his team’s effort against West. “We played pretty well actually. That was the most pressure we’ve seen so far (in the preseason) and it might be the most pressure we see all year.
“I think we played well against a big-time opponent,” Norwood added. “West is a quality team with depth out the ying-yang. They were bringing people off the bench that were just as good as their starters.”
West is considered by most observers to be one of the strongest teams in the Knoxville area this year.
“West was a really physical team but I feel we showed signs of being capable of adapting to that style-of-play,” Norwood added. “I think we responded well.”
The Rebels scored the first goal of the scrimmage just past the midway point of the first half. Seymour answered the visitor’s marker a couple minutes later when Spencer Proctor sent a header from about 25 feet in front of the goal sailing past the Rebels’ keeper and into the back of the net, tying the score 1-1.
The Rebels came back strong following the halftime break and tacked on successive goals a few minutes into the second half. Both squads’ coaches opted to start substituting liberally near the halfway point of the second half and West showed its strength in numbers by adding a pair of late goals against SHS reserves.
Norwood lauded the play of SHS freshman Corbin Marine for what the coach said was, “an impressive performance,” against West. The Eagles’ coach also complimented the individual efforts of Jacob Lindsey, Proctor and starting keeper Garrett Becker for their respective contributions against the Rebels.
Seymour will go on the road to open the regular season Tuesday at Cosby. The Eagles’ home-opener will be Thursday against Harriman.