The Noblesville and Fishers boys soccer teams easily won first-round matches Monday at Class 3A Sectional 8, which the Millers are hosting at the White River Elementary School soccer fields.
Noblesville opened the sectional with a 5-2 victory over Pendleton Heights. Spencer Holland took a shot, which went into a defender’s arm for a handball. That gave the No. 8-ranked Millers a penalty kick opportunity, which Jack Miller converted to get Noblesville on the board. The Arabians answered with a goal, but Drew Barnes put Noblesville back on top with a goal, assisted by Palmer Ault. The 2-1 lead for the Millers would be the halftime score.
Ault opened the second half with a goal, pushing Noblesville ahead 3-1. Pendleton scored on a counter attack to get within one, but the Millers pulled away after that, with Ault scoring his second goal of the game, then Brendon Fisher completed the scoring with his second goal over the past two games.
In Monday’s second game, Fishers cruised past Anderson 6-0. Brendan Weiger earned the shutout at goal. Cam O’Connor scored two goals for the No. 13 Tigers, with Kevin Natzel, Zach Castro, Yuto Nakamae and Jackson Wright all scoring one. Angel Roque Granados made two assists, with Rodrigo Dominguez and Castro both making one.
The Millers (12-2-2) and the Tigers (12-4) will play each other in today first semi-final game, which starts at 5 p.m. The second semi-final features No. 15 Hamilton Southeastern taking on Muncie Central.
Guerin Catholic won at the last minute – literally – in its first-round game at Class 2A Sectional 26 at Brebeuf Jesuit on Monday.
The No. 5-ranked Golden Eagles beat No. 6 Cardinal Ritter 1-0. Daniel Cloran scored the winning goal on a header with 43 seconds left in the game. The victory improved the Golden Eagles to 9-3-3 for the season; they will play Western Boone at 5 p.m. today in the first semi-final game.
On Tuesday, Hamilton Heights lost to the host Braves 5-0. Brebeuf scored two goals in the first half, then added the other three in the second half.
“The Huskies continued to play and left it all on the field,” said Heights coach Derrick Dean. “These seniors are a great group of boys and will be missed. “
Marcus Shaffer had seven saves as goalkeeper, while the Players of the Game were Caleb Stuart and Luke Vanderwall. The Huskies finished the season 5-12-1.
Westfield lost to No. 4 North Central 1-0 in the first round of Class 3A Sectional 10 at Pike on Monday.
Senior Aidan Huddleston played a great game at goalkeeper for the Shamrocks, who finished their season 9-7-1.
ABOVE: Noblesville’s Brendon Fisher scored for the Millers during their 5-2 win over Pendleton Heights in Monday’s first-round sectional games.
BELOW: Fishers’ Zach Castro makes a penalty kick for the Tigers during their 6-0 win against Anderson. (Kent Graham)
