By RICHIE HALL
INDIANAPOLIS – Three years ago, a group of freshmen came in to the Noblesville boys soccer program.
Millers coach Ken Dollaske recognized the group’s talent right away and knew something special was brewing. Flash forward to this year: Those young men are now seniors, and on Saturday, they helped deliver the Noblesville team its first-ever state championship.
The No. 2-ranked Millers won the Class 3A boys state title in commanding fashion, beating No. 10-ranked Carmel 3-1 in a well-attended game at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Noblesville scored a quick goal within the first few minutes of the game, and never looked back.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Millers senior Palmer Ault. “We’ve been working so hard for so many years we’ve been together. I think just finally reaching this finish line is a great way to end my high school career and the rest of the seniors. We’ve made a mindset and from the beginning of the year and set a goal and we’ve achieved that today. It’s just a great feeling. There’s nothing better.”
Noblesville had made a habit of jumping on teams early during the season, and kept that up on Saturday. The Millers scored their first goal in the fourth minute, with Brady Horn finding the back of the net.
Dollaske called getting the early goal “paramount.”
“Not even getting the first goal, but getting the first goal within the first five minutes of the game. It allows people to relax a little bit and settle in, because as I mentioned, the nerves are there. And making sure that we can settle into our rhythm and be the team that we’ve been in training,” said Dollaske.
True to form, Carmel continued to battle throughout the game. In fact, the Greyhounds seemingly tied things up during the 17th minute, but the goal was waved off. Instead, the Millers added another goal in the 20th minute. Spencer Holland found Ault, and he booted the ball in to give Noblesville a 2-0 lead; that would be the halftime score.
“We didn’t quite play the possession game that we’re used to playing,” said Dollaske. “I think just being in the state title game, there are some nerves that come with it. It’s tough to play that possession ball. But I think midway through the first half, towards the end of the first half, we really started connecting through the middle, playing through our six, eight and 10. Palmer did a fantastic job when the ball got up to him up top. He’s an All-American, what can I say.”
Noblesville opened the second half just as it did the first half, with another fast goal. This time it was Holland’s turn to score, and he kicked it in during the 43rd minute. Ault and Jake Johns provided the assist.
Carmel made things interesting by scoring a late goal, during the 69th minute. William Latham got the ‘Hounds on the board, with Chase Havice making the assist. Carmel continued to push for the remainder of the game, but Noblesville’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Gabe Ingle, held off the Greyhounds.
Ingle finished the game with six saves. His Carmel counterpart, Thomas Barrett, also had six goal saves.
The Greyhounds actually outshot the Millers 17-14, while Noblesville had more shots on goal, making nine to Carmel’s seven. Brayden Doll had the most overall shots (five) and shots on goal (three) for the Millers. Latham also had five overall shots, and both he and Andrew Caito made two shots on goal.
Carmel coach Shane Schmidt said he was proud of his team, which team finished the season 16-4-2 and was making its first appearance at state since 2006.
“They stuck with it and stuck to the task and continued and continued,” said Schmidt. “We scored a goal, then we created another opportunity right there that was pretty dangerous at the end.”
“They were a good team,” Schmidt said of Noblesville. “It is what it is. I thought it was two good teams. They prevailed.”
The Millers started nine seniors, a group that Dollaske realized had potential during the voluntary summer trainings.
“We went to a pre-season showcase out at Mount Vernon and those guys were beating everybody like double digits to zero,” said Dollaske. “They were playing JV squads where it was their sophomores, juniors and seniors, and I’m like ‘Man, we have freshmen that are doing this.’ And so you could just tell that we had a string of success coming our way.”
Noblesville’s Brayden Doll received a big honor at the end of the game, as he won the C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award. Doll, the son of Amanda and Ian Doll, holds a 4.26 grade-point average and is a three-year varsity letter winner.
“It’s amazing,” said Doll. “You work hard at school in the classroom, on the field. To just get recognition for that is great.”
Doll also recognized the lifelong connection that he has built with his teammates.
“I’ve known these guys for 10-plus years,” said Doll. “We’ve played together for almost just as long. I’ve shared a bond with these guys that, it’s basically blood now. It’s just unreal the connection we have, both on the field and then off as buddies. I wouldn’t rather do it with anyone else.”
And Doll hopes that connection continues well beyond high school
“These are the guys that I still want to be friends with in 40 years, 50 years, because they’re just the best people and the best people I want to be around at all times,” said Doll.
Noblesville finished its season 20-1-1, with its only loss to nationally ranked powerhouse St. Ignatius (Cleveland) and the tie to Fishers, the No. 1-ranked team in Indiana. While it will be difficult to replace such a talented group of seniors, Dollaske said he’s already thinking about next year.
“I want to be building a dynasty here at Noblesville,” said Dollaske. “I don’t want this to be a one-and-done, flash in the pan type thing.”