Boys soccer: How Carmel turned around its season, found stride ‘when it mattered’

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Carmel defeated Lawrence North 2-0 in the first game of their regional final matchup, securing their place in the tournament. The match began with a swift start as Carmel's Sebastien Shunk scored the opening goal just 1 minute and 58 seconds into the game.

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Carmel's coach Shane Schmidt had a clear strategy in mind. He aimed to force Lawrence North into early turnovers and avoid sitting in the defensive zone. Schmidt believed in the concept of "counter the counter," an attacking style that would wear down the opposing defense.

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Carmel's season turned around as they found their shape and created spaces between the lines. This improvement came after a rocky start to the season, during which the team struggled to finish matches. Some of the goals missed were attributed to lack of discipline and effort.

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Lawrence North coach Daniel Flores expressed disappointment, saying, "They knocked us out. We were not prepared." However, Carmel's disciplined approach and discipline prevailed in the end.

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Carmel's defense has shown significant improvement, playing with more patience and poise. The team hasn't lost since a 2-1 loss to North Central on September 15, accumulating nine clean sheets in their last 10 games. This defensive transformation was attributed to the players' newfound focus on sticking to their assigned tasks and understanding each other's positioning.

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Carmel's performance against Brownsburg, ranked 18th in the state, will be crucial. The Greyhounds, ranked 28th, have high expectations following their recent win. Carmel coach Shane Schmidt expressed excitement about proving that the team is better than their rankings, stating, "Now that it's starting to kind of click, and there's a belief, and once you get a group of young men to believe in themselves and believe in what's going on, great things can happen."

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Carmel's players are confident in their abilities and the team dynamic. They have been playing as a cohesive unit, with each member contributing to the collective success. The Greyhounds are accustomed to overcoming challenges, including starting with faulty equipment, but they excel when they perform at their best during critical moments.

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The team's journey from a rocky start to a regional final victory has solidified their belief in themselves, their team, and their future. Carmel is determined to continue their winning streak and make a significant impact in the remaining matches.