For the third time this year, the Bowling Green Purples and Greenwood Gators will meet on the soccer field. The third matchup of the season between the two teams will take place on October 16th at Greenwood High School. The Purples are looking for their eighth straight district tournament championship, and their fourth straight win over Greenwood.
Before the district title game, the two teams had to win against crosstown foes. Being the one seed, BGHS took the field against Warren Central, winning 5-0. The victory improved the Purples district record to 9-0 on the year, and 16-3 overall. On the other side of the bracket, Greenwood took on South Warren. The Gators dominated the Spartans in a 4-1 win. Greenwood outscored South Warren 13-3 in three games in 2013, all wins.
Both teams had strong showings in the first round of district play, and both had impressive regular seasons. Bowling Green swept the season series against the Gators, winning 1-0 and 3-1 in two matchups. The regular season must be put away when the postseason arrives, as Bowling Green hasn’t beaten Greenwood in the postseason since 2009. The two teams did not have an opportunity to play in the district tournament last season, as South Warren upset GHS in the first round. The Purples will look to defend their district title with a win, and clinch the top seed in the regional tournament.
Despite what happens Thursday night, both of these teams have clinched spots in the regional tournament after their first round victories. Greenwood has had Bowling Green’s number in postseason play, but that may change this season. The Purples have lost only three times this season, and have shown their dominance against the Gators twice this year. No matter who wins, this game will prove to be a matchup of two of the best teams in the state.
