By RICHIE HALL
ZIONSVILLE – The Carmel girls soccer team cruised to its fourth consecutive sectional title last Saturday, beating Cathedral 3-1 for the Class 3A Sectional 9 crown at the Zionsville Athletic Complex.
The Greyhounds were in control for the entire game. Elsie Flanders put in Carmel’s first goal during the 19th minute, then scored a second time with 5:45 left in the first half. Meanwhile, the Greyhounds’ defense was doing its job, not allowing the Irish a shot until the 33rd minute.
Guerin Catholic’s Annie DeBone makes a kick for the Golden Eagles during their sectional final game last Saturday at Brebeuf Jesuit. (Mike Navarro)
“We were all hyped on the bus and we were getting ready,” said Flanders. “We were just really excited to play.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been on a bus like that,” said Carmel coach Frank Dixon. “Music was blasting, they were just jumping. I thought when we got here, we would have no adrenaline left at all, that we would use it all up on the bus. They came right out and settled down and played our game and it was great to watch.”
Carmel continued to roll in the second half, with Olivia Cebalo kicking in the Greyhounds’ third goal with 15:14 left. Cathedral scored its lone goal 55 seconds later, but the Hounds clamped down for the remaining 14 minutes. Carmel wound up outshooting Cathedral 16-4.
The Greyhounds improved to 14-3-2 with the victory, their 20th sectional title in program history. Carmel advances to the regional semifinal, which the Hounds will play Wednesday at Brownsburg.
Guerin, Sheridan fall
Guerin Catholic, last year’s Class 2A state champion, fell in the final of Sectional 26 last Saturday, 2-0 to host Brebeuf Jesuit.
The Golden Eagles finished their season 8-5-4.
Sheridan fell in the final of Class 1A Sectional 38 at Lafayette Central Catholic last Saturday, 2-0 to Faith Christian.
The Blackhawks finished their season 12-5-1, also winning the Hoosier Heartland Conference championship.