By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's been a tough start to the 2021 season for Seaman's boys soccer team, with none of the 1-5-0 Vikings' losses harder to take than Monday's 2-1 double-overtime non-league defeat to Lawrence at Seaman.
But despite that heartbreaking defeat, which came with just 2:13 remaining in the second 10-minute overtime session, Seaman assistant coach Jenna Cunningham saw several positives that the Vikings can take from Monday's performance moving forward.
"We really fought,'' said Cunningham, who coached the Vikes in coach Jacob Kirmer's absence. "We haven't had a game like that where we wanted to win it so bad.
"We wanted to win so bad, so this one hurts. We really wanted to get that one, but there were improvements.''
Seaman senior Justin Kruse (1) and Lawrence senior Dominic Chieu wait for the ball to come down during Monday's soccer game at Seaman. The Lions took a 2-1 win in double overtime. [Photo by Rick Peterson]
Seaman drew first blood on a goal from senior Pablo Font at the 28:17 mark of the first half off an assist from freshman Kaelin Loy and the Vikings never trailed until Lawrence junior Cale Scott ended the game late in the second OT.
Seaman junior goalkeeper Ayden Thompson turned away several Lion scoring threats in both halves to give the Vikings a chance at the victory, but the hosts had trouble generating scoring opportunities after Font's early goal.
"We've got to pick it up defensively and offensively,'' Cunningham said. "We've got to find our attack, we've got to find a way to score.''
Seaman freshman Ethan Geiger (17) advances the ball as sophomore Alden Parker-Timms defends for Lawrence Monday at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman won't have much time to dwell on Monday's loss, with the Vikings going on the road to face Centennial League foe Junction City on Tuesday.
"I told them, 'Hey, you've got tonight to think about it and it should hurt and it does, but we've got to move on tomorrow,'' Cunningham said.
LAWRENCE 2, SEAMAN 1 (2 OT)
Lawrence 1 0 0 1 -- 2
Seaman 1 0 0 0 -- 1
Lawrence -- Goals: Josh Anderson, Cale Scott. Assists: Colin Sandefur, Josh King.
Seaman -- Goal: Pablo Font. Assist: Kaelin Loy.
