8 thoughts on SW Indiana high school soccer halfway through the season

EVANSVILLE – Are you ready for the best part of the high school soccer regular season?

The sectional draw is less than two weeks away. Conference championships are being contested. Soon enough, we’ll be debating who could make a run to Indianapolis.

It also offers a unique opportunity to reflect at what we’ll call the de facto midpoint. Who are the best teams? Top players? Who could win the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference? Here are eight thoughts going into the stretch run.

Seeing double? Kotmel twins play important role for Castle soccer, football success

The SIAC girls champion possibly decided next week

Go ahead, circle next Tuesday on your calendar.

Castle and Reitz took a big step towards earning at least of the share of the SIAC on Tuesday. The Knights (5-0) defeated Memorial 4-1 and Reitz (5-1) gutted a win over Mater Dei 4-3. It sets up an unofficial title bout in Newburgh next week.

You shouldn’t be surprised. These were the top two teams going into August. A few other things could happen – a Reitz win creates a path for Memorial to also share the title – but the Knights and Panthers are the most consistent teams in the conference.

Castle vs. Jasper boys showdown looming

The SIAC boys title race will be decided by one specific game.

Castle (4-0) and Jasper (5-0) are the only unbeaten teams left in conference play. Every other team has at least two losses. Again, no surprise based on recent history and preseason projections a month ago.

The Knights’ only loss was to No. 3 Center Grove. The Wildcats have allowed just three goals with three ties. There’s a few other anticipated matchups, but the SIAC is likely won next Saturday in Newburgh.

Who are the Metro Player of the Year frontrunners?

A lot of soccer left before we make this decision. I’d still argue is never too early to think ahead.

If chosen now, Aleyna Quinn is an easy pick on the girls’ side. The Castle senior is one of the top athletes, not just soccer players, in the area. Her senior season thus far: 19 goals and six assists in nine games. Other contenders at the moment are Matea Bradfield (Reitz), Jilly Higgins (Castle) and Morgan Wannemuehler (Mater Dei).

The boys’ POTY is less clear. You could go Ryker Kotmel or Max McConnell from Castle. Or Yuta Yamanami at North. Or Santiago Arruffat of Harrison. Not much separation right now amongst this group.

What do we make of Memorial?

The answer requires context and nuance. Because if solely based on records, there's several questions.

Start with the girls. The Tigers are 6-5 following a loss to Castle but still ranked No. 6 in Class 2A. Nobody expected them to match what occurred the past two years following the graduation of several starters. Also know the schedule has four losses to top-13 opponents and the other to Notre Dame Academy (Ky). I'm still anticipating Memorial to be a threat in the postseason.

The same could be said of the boys' team. The Tigers are 3-5 going to Castle on Wednesday while facing a difficult schedule. I did think their talented underclassmen would be ready, but it's still a work in progress. The record by October may not reflect how good Memorial could still be in the tournament.

What other area teams have impressed?

At the top of my list is one discussed previously and another who could compete for the sectional.

This is quite possibly the best Jasper boys' team in a generation. At least that's the word in Dubois County. The defending sectional champs always play good defense, but I'd argue it's Brandon Elizarraras (15 goals) and Jair Pena on the attack that makes them better. I'm still shocked this team isn't ranked in Class 3A.

Even though I still think Memorial might be the 2A girls sectional favorite, don't overlook Gibson Southern. The Titans have allowed just three goals in nine games. The matchup to watch would be Ella Jones (nine goals) and company against the Tigers' defense.

The 3A boys sectional is again must-see

It seems this way every season but the argument carries more weight this fall. The six teams in the sectional field have a combined record of 36-13-7 going into Wednesday's matchups.

You'd currently put Castle and Jasper at the top, but North and Harrison aren't far behind. But every team understands not to overlook Reitz or Central, more on both below, this season. It wouldn't shock me to see an upset or two the first week of October at the EVSC soccer field.

This girls soccer sectional is likely the most competitive

Other sectionals will have anticipated matchups – I’m looking at the Castle-Reitz possibility in 3A – but the 1A sectional at South Spencer could be a grind.

There are three teams ranked in the top eight of the latest coaches' poll: No. 2 Evansville Christian, No. 6 Mater Dei and No. 8 Forest Park. Any of these could emerge as the favorite by the end of September. The winner from this field would be among the contenders in 1A South.

The wildcard among is once again ECS. The Eagles' schedule could be tougher, but we know the offense led by Peyton and Tina Geer can score.

Good to see improved depth in SIAC boys soccer

This has been a recurring thought the past few weeks. I'll always argue the SIAC is one of the best soccer conferences in the state, but the boys' side has been top-heavy recently.

The case now points to stronger depth. Mater Dei started strong even with its top attacker (Camden Marx) out for the season. Reitz has competed well even in its losses. One rival coach also contends this might be the best Central team in recent years.

A stronger conference top to bottom only makes the game better.

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA soccer: 8 thoughts first half season for SW Indiana