Going into conditioning in June, and practice starting in July, no one really knew how the season was going to play out for the HSE boys soccer team, or any fall sport for that matter. In June, the IHSAA released its three-step plan on getting fall sports back on track. Throughout this time, practice hours were limited, locker rooms were limited, and no fans were allowed until August 15, when phase 3 of the plan began.

“From the beginning of the season, there were doubts that we wouldn’t be able to play at all,” said senior team caption Parker Gopsill. “I am very thankful and proud that the team was able to pull together and remain in a positive mindset throughout it all. We played like every game was our last and made the most out of every opportunity.”

The season for the boys could not have gotten off to a better start, going undefeated 11 games into the season with a record of 9-2-0, only having tied to Carmel and Cathedral. Several of those games were huge for conference wins, including a 2-1 win in the closing minutes to take down the Fishers Tigers on the road behind 2 goals from Isa Sayeed and Jack Hyatt. Another crucial conference win was against Franklin Central, with the lone goal being scored by Matt Weaver, with 27 seconds remaining.

“I am proud of how all of our players handled the extra stress and protocols brought on by Covid-19 and the fact that we were able to play an entire season without missing games,” said HSE boys varsity soccer coach, Chris White. “I am also proud of the way this team came together, sacrificed some of the personal glory for the sake of the team.  I would also say that I am proud of us coming from behind to beat Fishers to bring the Mudsock trophy back to HSE.”

Game 10 of the season, on September 15, is where things took a turn for the red-hot Royals. In their game vs Westfield, senior midfielder, Chase Hatfield, went down with what seemed to be a season ending injury. Hatfield provided the Royals their height and strength in the midfield as they stuck with a 3-5-2 formation all season. Following this, the Royals held on vs Westfield to win 3-2, but would tie Cathedral the next game, then fall to the defending state champs, the Zionsville Eagles, following that.

“After accumulating a bunch of injuries to starters this year, I believe our chemistry improved every week,” said senior defender Matt Weaver. “We saw multiple starting lineups this season and had to adjust every week for what had to be done in order to win.

Following the loss to Zionsville, the Royals finished the regular season 2-1-1, with with an overall regular season record of 11-3-2, and a 5-2 record in the HCC. Entering IHSAA Sectional play, the Royals would be without Chase Hatfield; Isa Sayeed was available, but also battling injuries. On the other hand, junior Evan Dawdy, who went out with an injury the same week as Hatfield, would return for sectionals. The Royals defeated Pendleton Heights in the first round of sectionals, 6-0, and would play the Noblesville Millers in the second round. The Millers had defeated the Royals in the earlier matchup in the season, 2-0, and the Royals were looking for revenge. Revenge is exactly what the Royals got in this matchup, as Isa Sayeed scored the game winning goal in the first half of extra time, putting the Royals ahead 1-0.

“I feel our greatest accomplishment this season was beating Noblesville in the sectional semi-final,” said Gopsill. “They were the number one ranked team in the state and nation at the time. This was a huge confidence boost for us during the state tournament.”

After the win against Noblesville, tensions were high as the Royals would have a rematch with the cross-town Fishers Tigers in the Sectional Final. The game was scoreless at the end of the first half, until Fishers took a 1-0 lead early in the second half. HSE was unable to comeback from this, and their season would end there. This was a devastating loss for the boys, as 16 seniors would have their final season at HSE be labeled with injuries and a loss to Fishers. The Royals’ season would come to an end at 13-3-3.

*All-State rosters have yet to be released*

All-Conference Players:

1^st Team All-Conference (HCC) – Isa Sayeed, Parker Gopsill, and Luke Lonneman

2^nd Team All-Conference (HCC) – Matt Weaver, Neel Wetzel