A goal by Marckenson Paul with 14 minutes left in the first half was all Seymour’s boys soccer team needed to beat visiting Jasper, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon.

The junior won the ball from defender Carter Blome in Jasper’s penalty box and then quickly capitalized by beating goalkeeper Aaron Escobar with a sharp shot just inside the near post from 10 yards out.

“I shot it that way (to the near side) because the keeper was not going to get it there,” Paul said. “I was pretty emotional. I’m a striker and I love to play. This was my first game. That was my first goal. I hope it is the first of many goals I’ll score this season.”

Paul moved to Seymour from New Jersey a year ago but couldn’t join the soccer program because the Owls’ varsity and JV rosters were already set.

“He’s got tremendous athletic ability and a good feel for the ball,” Seymour head coach Matt Dennis said. “We’re trying to teach him how to play our brand of soccer, and he’s starting to learn that. I’m happy for him. He put one away and got us a win.”

Saturday’s season-opening result was remarkable for another reason: It was Seymour’s first-ever triumph over Jasper since the two schools started their series six years ago. The rivalry has been a success from a competition standpoint but had mostly leaned away from the Owls. Until now.

“This is the sixth year we’ve played them, and every game has been a draw or a one-goal difference,” Dennis said. “It’s an excellent game to kind of sharpen the sword and see what we have at the beginning of the season. They’re a tough team. We finally got over the hump and beat them. That’s a great step for our boys.”

Last season, the Owls recorded five shutouts. This year’s squad picked up its first against Jasper and figures to exceed last year’s total if Saturday’s effort is any indication.

Seymour goalkeeper Lance Hubbard saved five of Jasper’s nine shots, including two from close range in the final five minutes as the Wildcats desperately sought an equalizer.

The Owls’ back line is anchored by central defenders Jake Loebker and Lane Woodard and is flanked by a combination of Kayden Cox, Donovan Delgadillo, David Bartolome and Liam Chandler. Senior Evan Unterseher fronts the line as the primary defensive midfielder.

“We’re really experienced,” Unterseher said. “We’re all upperclassmen, except for Lane, who’s a sophomore. We’ve been playing together since we were little. There’s just a good chemistry.”

Seymour’s defense rarely allowed Jasper near the goal. Six of the Wildcats’ shots came from distance (18 or more yards), making Hubbard’s job in goal easier.

Jasper’s best opportunity came with 12 minutes left in the first half when forward Brayden Weinel sent a header over Hubbard, who had vacated the goal to contest for the ball. As the ball bounded towards the open net, Loebker cleared it to keep the Owls’ sheet clean.

“It was a great, gritty defensive effort,” Dennis said. “We were able to win balls and dictate play as much as we could. As a coach looking for something to build on, that’ll do.”

The Owls have a week to savor the victory before Bloomington South travels to town next Saturday. The Panthers are ranked eighth in the preseason Class 3A coaches’ poll.

“This is a good start,” Unterseher said. “It’s a good confidence builder for everybody, especially the younger guys like Marck. It was his first time playing and he scored. That was a good break for him, a good confidence builder.”

Paul agreed wholeheartedly with Unterseher’s thoughts.

“I’m a new player here so today was very special for me,” Paul said. “We’ve got a special team. We’ve got great players, great keepers, a great coach. We want to win sectional and win regional. That’s my goal for this team.”