The Noblesville girls varsity lacrosse team beat Culver Academy 8-7 on Wednesday a rematch from last year’s semi-final game for the state championship.
The Millers fell behind 7-1 by the 8:26 mark in the first half before they ended the half with two goals to bring the score back to 7-3. Noblesville was inspired during its halftime talks and came out to play outstanding defense during the second half, causing the Eagles to turn the ball over seven times with double team pressure and allowing no goals during the second half.
The Millers’ offense began chipping away at the lead and were able to tie the game at 7-all at the 3:53 mark of the second half on a free position shot by junior Kaylin Mertens. The score remained tied at the end of regulation after a missed shot by the Eagles with seven seconds left in the game.
The Eagles won the draw in overtime and took a shot, but Noblesville senior goalkeeper Meredith Hayes blocked the shot and was able to start the Millers’ offensive possession with a great clear. As the ball moved down the field, Freshman Emma Potter found herself with a opening and made an impressive drive and shot to give the Millers the win during the sudden victory play of overtime.
The Millers were lead defensively by: Goalkeeper Hayes, with seven stops in the second half and overtime; Junior Olivia Long, who was tasked with shutting down the Eagles top scorer and forced six turnovers; and junior Grace Hammond, who assisted with four of the turnovers with Long on double teams. Offensively, the Millers had six different players score goals with Potter and Mertens each scoring two goals.
The Millers (10-5-7) host Bishop Chatard at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hare Chevrolet Field. The team will be raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society during the games through a bake sale and donation stand.
Also on Wednesday, Noblesville’s girls junior varsity team beat Cathedral 9-4, improving its record to 6-2 for the season.
Defensively, the Millers were led by junior goalkeeper Jaclyn Klinger who stopped five of nine shots on goal for the night, as well as grabbing two ground balls around the goal. Offensively, the Millers had eight different players either score or assist, and were led by freshman Emily Blackburn, with two goals and one assist, and freshman Reece Wheeler, with two goals.
The Millers host Bishop Chatard at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hare Chevrolet Field and will join the varsity team in raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma.
