Ethan Greene has played various positions on soccer fields during his career.

“Before high school I played midfielder or wing,” he recalled. “Once I got to high school I started playing defense.”

Greene said he has enjoyed changing positions this season to a defensive midfielder.

“I try to stop the striker from getting the ball, or try to hold the defense together,” he said. “I’m in the midfield. I like the physical part of playing.”

At Seymour High School, the coaches emphasize playing hard the entirety of the match.

“You have to play hard all the way through,” Greene said. ‘There is no one more important part than the other. You have to keep going the whole time.”

Greene began playing soccer during his elementary school years in the Seymour Parks and Rec. leagues.

“I played rec for as long as I can remember,” Greene said. “Rusty Bailiff came to me once during rec and told me I should try club. I think it was 10U when I started playing with the Cyclones.”

This season, Greene acts as one of the Owls’ captains.

“It’s a big honor to have that now,” Greene said. “I know it’s a big responsibility to keep the team together and lead them. Elliott (Clark, Daniel (Hartman) and me start getting them ready for practice. We warm them up and start doing small drills until (the coaches) get out there.”

Preparation for games starts during the junior varsity matches for Green.

“We watch the JV games because usually how the JV sets up is how the varsity is going to play so we kind of base it off that,” Greene said.

On the schedule, Greene prefers night matches.

“I like the night matches during the week,” Greene said. “I think it’s a better atmosphere with the lights and everyone else around there.”

The Owls won the Hoosier Hills Conference title last season and are well on their way to another winning season this fall.

Greene credits the coaching staff for a lot of the Owls’ success.

“I’ve grown up with Coach Matt Dennis,” Greene said. “He’s coached me since seventh grade. I feel like there’s a good bond between us and the coaches, and all the other classes seem to get along really well so I’d say it’s chemistry between all of us.

(Dennis) emphasizes that we have a good practice before each game and it seems like we play better when we have a good practice.”

“We’ve came along way since my freshman year, and it’s a great program.”

As the season winds down, Greene wants to see the team continue working as a unit.

“We need to stay together and keep fighting hard,” Greene said. “Communication is one of the most important parts of soccer. It’s really important to have a good mindset. I’d say if you get down it’s really hard to come back up. You’ve got to stay positive about it.”

The senior has enjoyed his time at Seymour.

“I love SHS,” Greene said. “I know a lot of people here. I’d say it’s a great program and everyone is understanding. My highlight would be last year when we won the O Cup for the first time in like 12 years.

“I’m going to remember all my friends, the teams and the good times we had.”

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Name: Ethan Greene

School: Seymour High School

Parents: Mike and Debbie Greene

Sports: soccer 4 years

Athletic honors: 2016 Hoosier Hills Conference champions, Academic All-State, All-HHC honorable mention

Organizations: National Honor Society, Student government, D.A.R.E. Role Model, dance marathon committee

Plans after high school: attend college

Favorite food: pizza

Favorite team: FC Bayern Munich

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