The championship game of the boys soccer Class 3A Sectional 8 at Hamilton Southeastern will be a Mudsock re-match.
The paths that both teams took to get there were dramatically different. In the Wednesday semi-finals, No. 4-ranked HSE needed penalty kicks to get past No. 19 Noblesville, while No. 10 Fishers rolled past Muncie Central 7-0. The Royals and Tigers will face off at 2 p.m. Saturday in the sectional final.
Southeastern scored first in its game with the Millers, when Zaden Eby-Holmes kicked in a volley off a Ryan Otte assist in the first half. The score held at 1-0 for most of the game until Noblesville converted a penalty kick with 3:23 left in the second half. Jack Miller kicked the ball in, and the game was tied.
Neither team scored in the remaining minutes of regulation, nor in both periods of overtime. So the game went to PKs. The first kicks for both teams were blocked by the respective goalkeepers, but then the Millers and Royals both made their next three.
Southeastern then made its fourth kick, and Royals goalkeeper Jacob Kane stopped Noblesville’s kick to finally give HSE the win. The official final score is 2-1.
Royals coach Chris White knew that PKs were a possibility in this game. “And that’s what we’ve practiced for the last two weeks, every day on PKs, getting ready for it,” said the coach.
“Noblesville’s defense is always extremely solid,” said White. “Great keeper. He’s huge. It’s always tough to get goal-scoring opportunities. Knew it would be tight. We felt good about some chances we were creating. Thought we could’ve put a few away to not get there, but, yeah, we always knew PKs are a chance and this time of year, all that matters is advance.”
The Royals are now 13-2-2 for the season, while the Millers finished 11-6-1.
Meanwhile, Fishers dominated from the start, scoring three goals in the first half. Quinn Manford got the Tigers on the board in the 10th minute, then Elliott Mozingo and Reese May followed those up with goals of their own.
Cameron O’Connor got Fishers’ first goal of the second half, then Kevin Natzel added a goal with under 30 minutes left to play. Zachary Nayder completed the scoring with two more goals.
“We knew they’d come out and play very defensive,” said Tigers coach Phil Schmidt. “Getting an early goal makes a big difference in a game like that and Quinn was able to put away the corners. That gets us started off strong and gets us exactly where we need to be.”
Fishers is now 12-2-3 for the season. The Tigers and Royals played each other in the Mudsock game back on Sept. 4, with that game finishing in a 1-1 tie.
OTHER SECTIONALS
Carmel, ranked No. 15 in 3A, fell to Brebeuf Jesuit 2-0 at the Pike sectional on Wednesday.
The Greyhounds finished their season 7-3-8.
“I am proud of the effort the guys put forth all season,” said Carmel coach Shane Schmidt. “It’s always difficult when the season comes to an end.”
“This loss concludes our season. I would like to thank everyone for all of the wonderful support you provided for our program this year. I look forward to next season.”
Over at the Class 1A Heritage Christian sectional, both participating county teams lost their semi-final games.
University, ranked No. 2, fell to Park Tudor 2-0. The Trailblazers finished their season 11-4-2.
Sheridan took on the No. 3-ranked host Eagles, falling 5-0. Blackhawks goalkeeper Nick Roberts had 22 saves. Sheridan graduates five seniors: Bryce Brown, Wade Hunter, Logan Koepkey, Walker Casler and team leading scorer Caleb Duke.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Zaden Eby-Holmes (19) scored a first-half goal for the Royals in their sectional semi-final game with Noblesville Wednesday at Sectional 8 at HSE. The Royals won the game in penalty kicks to advance to the Saturday championship. Pictured for the Millers are Tommy Gregory (3) and Gabe Imes (12). (Kent Graham)
Fishers’ Fahmi Putra (left) chases down the ball during the Tigers’ game with Muncie Central on Wednesday. Fishers beat the Bearcats 7-0 to advance to Saturday’s championship game. (Kent Graham)