Cowley Blanks Seward in Semis

Jay Daubenberger

After recording their best season in program history including their first postseason win coming a few days ago, the Seward County Men’s Soccer team made the trip to Arkansas City to face the one seeded Cowley Tigers who scored three goals in the first half to put the Saints in trouble before SCCC finished their 2024 season with a 4-0 loss.

Within the first ten minutes of action the Saints found themselves in a hole as the Tigers made their way downfield to score off a free kick in the 7^th minute of action while a foul in the box by Seward County resulted in a penalty kick in the 8^th minute that put Cowley ahead 2-0. From there the SCCC defense stood their ground as they pushed ahead up field to try and get on the board but were unable to do so as they came apart briefly in the 40^th minute to give up a third goal in the half to fall behind 3-0 entering the break. The second half was not much different as the Saints continued to struggle offensively with the Tigers putting pressure on SCCC on every inch of the field. Bruno Mestres was a small bright spot for the Saints with multiple spectacular saves that saw the sophomore goalkeeper soar through the air for catches to protect the goal and keep the score at 3-0. However, in the 65^th minute Seward County once again fell prey to the Tigers’ attack as a final goal for Cowley made it 4-0 where it would stay until the final horn to end the Saints’ season.

Seward County ends their 2024 campaign with an 8-6-5 overall record while going 3-4-5 in KJCCC action and grabbed a first-round win over Kansas City Kansas in double overtime. The Saints will now wait for some good news tomorrow as the Jayhawk Conference announces the All-Conference selections.