The Noblesville boys soccer team picked up an all-county and Hoosier Crossroads Conference win on Thursday, breaking through in the second half to beat Hamilton Southeastern 2-0 at the Millers’ Hallmark Orthodontics Soccer Complex.
It was a battle between two of Class 3A’s top five teams, as Noblesville is ranked No. 2 and the Royals are rated No. 4. For most of the game, it was as close as one would expect it to be between teams that close together in the rankings.
But the Millers changed that in the second half. During the 56th minute, Brayden Doll got Noblesville on the board with its first goal. Palmer Ault provided the assist.
That gave the Millers some momentum, and they rode it to another goal during the 63rd minute. Ault scored that one, with Cole Bramblett making the assist.
“We were able to possess quite a bit, but just trying to be able to find that final ball, get behind their defense was a challenge for three quarters of the game,” said Noblesville coach Jen Dollaske. “And finally when we broke through, I think you could see that pressure release from our players and they played with a little bit more enthusiasm.”
The Millers’ defense stepped up as well. Gabe Ingle made a jumping save during the first half, stopping what would’ve been a certain Southeastern goal. Then with two and a half minutes left in the second half, Ingle defelected away another Royals shot, preserving the shutout.
“Disappointed with the loss, with the result, but from where we’re at and what’s going on, it’s a good learning piece,” said HSE coach Chris White.
Noblesville is 4-0-1 in conference play, which puts the Millers second to Fishers in the HCC standings. Overall, Noblesville is 10-1-1 and will host Franklin Central Tuesday in another conference game.
Southeastern is now 3-3 in HCC play and 8-3-1 overall. The Royals play Saturday morning at Cathedral.
Fishers, the No. 1 team in 3A, took a break from conference play on Thursday and hosted North Central, getting a 3-0 victory.
Keiji Nakamae celebrated his birthday at the game, and he scored two goals and also made one assist. Charlie Stump scored one goal for the Tigers, with Noah Reinhart and Grant Scott both making one assist. Tyler March earned his ninth shutout of the season.
Fishers is 10-0-1 and returns to HCC action Tuesday at Avon.
Carmel, ranked No. 11 in 3A, cruised to a 9-0 win over Warren Central in a Thursday Metropolitan Conference game at Murray Stadium.
Nick Basso and Cole Fogleman both scored two goals for the Greyhounds, with Will Latham, AJ Caito, Ian Mahoney, Colin Fettig and Josiah Shepson all scoring one goal. Basso, Fettig and Shepson each had one assist.
“I am proud of how we came out and put pressure on them right from the kickoff,” said Carmel coach Shane Schmidt. “Our spacing and ball movement was key tonight.”
The ‘Hounds are 5-0 in MIC play and 7-2-1 overall, and play at Homestead Saturday evening.
Guerin Catholic clinched an undefeated Circle City Conference championship on Thursday by beating Covenant Christian 5-0.
With the victory, the Golden Eagles finished conference play with a perfect 5-0 record. It’s the fourth conference title for Guerin Catholic this fall, joining girls golf, boys tennis and boys cross country.
The Golden Eagles are 7-2 overall and play at Louisville Trinity Lutheran Saturday morning.
University blasted to a 9-0 win over Liberty Christian on Thursday.
The Trailblazers are now 8-1-2 overall and play at Shortridge on Saturday.
Hamilton Heights dropped a 3-1 Hoosier Conference game to Western on Thursday.
The Huskies are 4-7 and host McCutcheon on Tuesday.
Sheridan fell to Herron 5-0 on Thursday.
Carson Huffman had 16 saves for the Blackhawks, who are 2-6 and play a Hoosier Heartland Conference game at Carroll on Tuesday.