The excitement of the IHSAA soccer sectionals was literally dampened on Wednesday.
Incessant rain and lightning delays caused disruptions at the various Hamilton County sectionals. While a few games were able to be played to completion, other games were either halted or unable to start.
The only local sectional that got all of its games in was the Class 3A boys Sectional 8 at Noblesville’s Hallmark Orthodontics Soccer Complex. No. 1-ranked Fishers and No. 2-ranked Noblesville both won semi-final matches, setting up a big showdown for the sectional championship on Saturday.
The Tigers played first and beat Muncie Central 2-0 in a game that was delayed by lightning and filled with rain. Fishers scored one goal in each half; Keiji Nakamae got the first-half score, then assisted Noah Reinhart, who scored the second-half goal. Tyler March earned the shutout, his 12th of the season.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Noblesville took on Pendleton Heights in the second semi-final. The Millers got on the board right away, scoring in the second minute. Spencer Holland put the ball in the net, with Palmer Ault making the assist. Minutes later, Jake Johns sent in a header for a goal, with Drew Coachran assisting.
Noblesville’s goals came fast and furious. Brayden Doll’s corner kick led to an Ault goal, then Ault scored again on a double assist by Cole Bramblett and Sammy Holland. Finally, Doll added a fifth goal for the Millers.
After all that, it was halftime, during which another lightning delay was called. Eventually, the game itself was called, with Noblesville winning 5-0.
Fishers and Noblesville will play for the Sectional 8 championship at 6 p.m. Saturday.
SUSPENDED AND DELAYED
Two other sectional games involving county boys teams were halted in the second half.
Up at Sectional 10 at Westfield, No. 10-ranked Carmel held a 2-0 lead over Pike at halftime before that game was suspended. Baenan Mckeown and Connor Dora both scored goals for the Greyhounds.
The two teams will finish the game today; a resumption time was not available at press time. The winner will play Zionsville in the Saturday championship; the Eagles beat North Central 3-0 in the first semi-final.
University was taking on Sectional 40 host Park Tudor in a game between Class 1A’s top two teams. The Panthers are ranked No. 1 and the Trailblazers are No. 2.
Park Tudor led 1-0 in the second half before that game was halted with 25:23 left in the second half. This game is also scheduled to be finished today. The winner plays Heritage Christian in the championship; the Eagles beat Scecina 3-0 in the first semi-final.
Sectional 26 host Guerin Catholic, the No. 3-ranked team in Class 2A, was scheduled to play its semi-final against Cardinal Ritter on Wednesday. But the Golden Eagles were unable to get on the field, as the preceding game between Lebanon and Brebeuf Jesuit went through a delay in the second half. The game was eventually completed, with the Braves winning 6-0.
Guerin Catholic and Ritter will play their game at 6 p.m. tonight, weather permitting. The winner will face Brebeuf at 2 p.m. Saturday for the Sectional 26 trophy.
In Sectional 39 action, Sheridan lost to Taylor 1-0 in the Wednesday semi-finals. The Blackhawks finished their season 2-9.
CARMEL GIRLS ADVANCE
In girls sectional play, 3A No. 4 Carmel, the host of Sectional 10, advanced to the semi-finals with a 1-0 win over No. 13 Guerin Catholic on Wednesday.
The teams were tied 0-0 at halftime, but Carmel took control immediately in the second half. The Greyhounds scored the game’s lone goal just 26 seconds into the second half, with Lauren Bailey finding the back of the net. Emily Roper made the assist.
Bailey Cappella played well as goalkeeper for the Golden Eagles, who finished their season 9-3-4.
Carmel is 13-2-2 for the season. The Greyhounds will play the winner of North Central and Pike; that game was suspended with 21:46 left in the first half. The Panthers are leading 1-0. This game will be finished tomorrow, with the winner playing Carmel Friday in the second semi-final game at 7:30 p.m. The first semi-final, between Westfield and Zionsville, will begin at 5:30 p.m.