By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
KOKOMO – There were multiple opportunities for both the Fort Wayne Carroll Chargers and the Noblesville Millers to score in the first half, but neither could capitalize on those chances, which made for an intense first half.
The Millers were able to overcome adversity and stage a comeback for the ages to tie the game toward the end of the second half, before winning on penalty kicks, 4-3 (4-2 on penalty kicks) to advance to their second consecutive semi-state.
Noblesville had the ball on Carroll’s end of the field more than not in the first half, but the Chargers’ defense also played a big role in not allowing the Millers to score in the first 40 minutes.
“It was an emotional roller coaster when you see the ball hit the back of the net multiple times, to be called back for offside or you have a player taken down inside the box and the referee says, no, play on,” said Noblesville head coach Ken Dollaske on the many first half instances the Millers had, but couldn’t catch a break.
“It’s tough. That’s really tough emotionally, mentally and physically, because you put in all of the work to get those opportunities and then to go into half 0-0, it’s challenging. I told the boys at halftime that we’re doing everything right, it’s just that the scoreboard doesn’t show it right now,” stated Dollaske on a frustrating first half.
Both Carroll and Noblesville came out fully energized in the second half, because they knew there was a spot in the semi-state on the line.
A first half injury to forward Sam Divis for Noblesville thrust junior Miles Tucker into a more pivotal role and he didn’t bat an eye.
“Miles was put in there because Divis went down with that ankle injury and we weren’t able to go back to him (Divis). Honestly, Miles was giving us the best opportunity. Him (Tucker) working with Sam Holland, those two just made magic happen,” said Dollaske of the duo that developed of Holland and Tucker.
The Chargers were the first to get on the board. Eight minutes into the second half, Liam Ormiston headed in a goal at close range for a 1-0 Carroll lead.
Just a minute later, Derek Lanning lofted a shot from 35 yards that found the back of the net for a rapid 2-0 Charger lead.
“Being down 2-0 with 32 minutes to go, right then and there, you could see that some of our players looked to the bench on how much are we going to press. We still have time to come back at this and getting that one, we felt like at 2-1 we had that momentum and all of the sudden they got that one where we didn’t step in time, we lost the ball in our defensive third and they cracked it,” said Dollaske, describing the Millers’ refusal to quit.
Miles Tucker scored on a 12-yard shot from the assist of Sam Holland to cut the Charger lead to 2-1.
Two minutes later in the 59th minute, Brayden Macy put a goal in from the right side for 3-1.
“Once again, being down 2-0, do we start to panic? Do we start pressing? We did a little bit, but Carroll kind of went into a shell after they got that 3-1,” stated Dollaske on how his team didn’t break, despite being down two games midway through the second half.
A few minutes later, Sam Holland started his come to the rescue mission. Holland got his first goal in the 62nd minute, bringing it to 3-2 and the momentum shifted tremendously in Noblesville’s favor.
Carroll was doing everything they could to push for that fourth goal, but Noblesville’s defense proved its worth and stood strong.
Holland again found a way to muscle the Millers back. He scored his second, and most crucial goal of the game in the 72nd minute, just under nine minutes left in regulation, to equalize the match at 3-3.
“We didn’t change. If we keep doing what we’re doing, Carroll’s giving us opportunities. They’re starting to just play defensively and if we keep working, we’re eventually going to crack their back line and we were able to slot a few through,” stated Dollaske on the Millers’ comeback to force overtime.
Holland’s second goal was what forced the two seven-minute overtime periods, both which were scoreless, sending this regional championship to penalty kicks.
“It was great in the second half when he (Holland) is playing that right wing in front of our bench, so I’m telling him to keep working and it’s going to happen for you eventually,” continued Dollaske on Holland and how he was responsible for getting Noblesville in position to win.
After the two quick overtime periods, there was a coin toss to decide who started the PKs first and which goal they would be kicked into.
Noblesville started first and senior Owen Mejia drilled the first one to the right of Charger goalie William Stanley.
Carroll’s first attempt by Jacob Douglass was blocked by junior keeper for the Millers, Cole Thompson.
“For me, it’s really more pressure on them, because I’ve got nothing to lose,” said Noblesville goalkeeper Cole Thompson.
“At that point, I have absolutely nothing to lose. I’m not supposed to save it, so if I save it, it’s massive. When they step up, it’s just to lock in on them and make them feel uncomfortable and let me be me and I just do what I know best,” continued a confident Thompson on how he approaches situations like penalty kicks.
After a Luke Odle miss, Brayden Macy tied it 1-1 for Carroll. Miles Tucker and Nathan Kruger put one in each for Noblesville and Carroll, respectively, to knot it 2-2.
“During the regular season, Cole Thompson saw three PKs and he saved all three. How many keepers can say that they had 100 percent saved during PKs? We work on them relentlessly during training sessions once we get to the playoffs, because we know it is a penalty shootout situation,” stated Dollaske on the play of his keeper Cole Thompson and how clutch it is.
Sam Holland put his attempt in with ease for 3-2. At this point, it would take one more miss by the Chargers to ice it for the Millers.
Myles Repaal must have felt the eyes of Thompson on him, as his missed wide right, keeping Carroll down one.
Noah Bernot was the final kicker for Noblesville and with a slight hesitation, Bernot sank it into the back of the net for a 4-2 advantage on penalty kicks for the Millers, giving them a Regional Championship, 4-3.
“I trust our kids to make theirs and I trust Cole Thompson to save the ones that he needs to save. During a PK session, basically you need your goalkeeper to make one save. If they can do that, you’re winning it most of the time and that’s exactly what he did for us,” continued Dollaske, highlighting the play in goal by Thompson.
The Carroll Chargers fall to 12-5-1 to end their season.
The Noblesville Millers (14-3-3) continue their quest to defend their 2021 state championship. They will match up with No. 15 Penn Kingsmen (13-4-4) next Saturday at Walter Cross Field in Kokomo for a 3:30 p.m. start. After the 3A boys northern semi-state, the Noblesville girls will face Crown Point in an attempt for a third state championship in four years.
This will be the second game that follows the 1A boys northern semi-state battle between top-ranked Westview (19-1-1) and No. 2 Park Tudor (18-2-1) that kicks off at 1 p.m.