The Carmel girls soccer team is going back to state.
The No. 4-ranked Greyhounds won the Class 3A Seymour semi-state on Saturday, taking care of No. 8 Center Grove 3-0. Carmel will play the state championship game at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium next weekend; the date and time will be announced later today by the IHSAA.
“It was a happy bus ride back to Carmel this evening as the girls moved one step closer to their goal of winning a state title,” said Greyhounds coach Frank Dixon.
Carmel scored its first goal in the ninth minute. Kelsie James found the back of the net, finishing a cross by Olivia Fray off the right flank. That would be the only goal of the first half.
James struck again for the ‘Hounds early in the second half, in the game’s 45th minute. This time, James put in a cross by Morgan Parker from the center flank. Carmel added one more goal with 1:15 left in the second half, when Emily Speidel scored on a header from a corner kick by Elizabeth Hargis.
Goalkeeper Erin Baker had one save.
“This game was decided by our team defense with a few timely goals helping finish the contest,” said Dixon. “We jumped off to a quick lead on a goal by Kelsie James in the ninth minute but we were not very composed the rest of the half with our finishing, directing only five of our 14 first half shots on goal. After a halftime reminder that we were playing really well in every area except scoring, Kelsie James added her second goal of the day in the 45th minute. Since we have not allowed a goal in the first five tournament games, we all felt fairly confident that we would prevail. Our last goal came on a corner kick served by center back Elizabeth Hargis to the head of right back Emily Speidel late in the game and after that the celebration was on.”
Carmel is now 19-1-2 for the season and won its 11th semi-state title. The ‘Hounds will play seventh-ranked Homestead in the state championship game. The Spartans beat No. 12 Valparaiso 2-1 to win the South Bend St. Joseph semi-state on Saturday.
