The boys soccer Class 3A state championship game that will take place Saturday evening at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium has been a long time coming.
That’s because both Noblesville and Carmel are breaking long droughts when it comes to an appearance at the biggest stage of all. The Millers and the Greyhounds will face off for the 3A state trophy as the last of six IHSAA state championship games this weekend, both boys and girls in three classes. The 3A boys game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
So how long has it been for Carmel and Noblesville to make it to the state finals? The No. 10-ranked Greyhounds last went to state in 2006, while the No. 2-ranked Millers’ previous state appearance was also their first appearance, back in 1999.
“It’s definitely very exciting to have the opportunity to play for a state championship,” said Carmel coach Shane Schmidt. “When we played in the state finals in 2005, we had a 12 year gap between appearances, which is somewhat similar. I truly think that anytime you have the opportunity to compete for a state championship, it is special. I am just so proud of how the team has come together and created the fantastic opportunity for themselves.”
During the intervening years, both schools have won multiple sectional and regional titles, but always got stopped at the semi-state level. This year, both teams made it by winning their respective semi-states. The Greyhounds edged out No. 3-ranked Castle 1-0 in overtime, while the Millers blasted No. 4-ranked Chesterton, the defending state champion, 5-0.
“It feels great to break the drought,” said Noblesville coach Ken Dollaske. The Millers came close two years ago at the Kokomo semi-state, but dropped a 2-1 game to Lake Central.
Dollaske said his players “are enjoying this week, but that’s because we have enjoyed every week of the season. Our motto this year has been to ‘Sweat the Small Stuff.’ As long as we are working hard in training and making sure that everything we do has purpose, no matter how big or small the task, then it is enjoyable to them.”
The two teams met back on Aug. 19, with Noblesville winning 3-0. Since then, the Millers have gone on to compile a 19-1-1 season record, with their only loss to St. Ignatius (Cleveland), one of the top teams in the country, on Sept. 11. Noblesville’s tie came on Aug. 31, when its game with No. 1-ranked Fishers finished 0-0.
The Millers hosted their own sectional, which they started play with a 5-0 semi-final win over Pendleton Heights. Noblesville then won the re-match with the Tigers in the championship 1-0. After that, the Millers have been cruising. They took the regional by winning at Columbia City 5-0 in the semi-finals, then defeating Fort Wayne Northrop 5-0 in the championship game at Kokomo. Noblesville returned to Kokomo for the semi-state, where it took care of Chesterton easily.
“They are a very good team that carries with them experience, familiarity, talent, and athleticism.” said Schmidt. “In order to have success against them, we need to do all of the little things right. We talk about personal accountability and how if we do all of those little things right, they lead to big results.”
The Millers team is full of experience, as nine of the 11 starters are seniors. That group includes Palmer Ault who is by far Noblesville’s leading scorer with 25 goals and 15 assists. Spencer Holland has scored 18 goals and made eight assists.
The leading assist man is Brayden Doll, who has dished out 18 this year, while Kyle Goad has 12 assists. Goalkeeper Gabe Ingle has 78 saves and has allowed only nine goals for the entire season – a goals against average of 0.455.
Carmel is 16-3-2 for the season. The Greyhounds started their post-season run by claiming the Westfield sectional, beating Pike 3-1 and No. 7-ranked Zionsville 2-1 in penalty kicks. In the regional, Carmel won 3-1 at Avon, then hosted Cathedral for the championship, taking that game over the Irish 3-0. Then at Seymour, the Greyhounds got past Castle for the semi-state championship.
Seniors also make up the majority of Carmel’s starters, as the Greyhounds will have seven of them. That includes Carmel’s top goal scorers: Andrew Caito and Baenan Mckeown each have nine, followed by William Morgan with eight. Junior William Latham is next in line with seven. Morgan leads the assists with nine, and senior Thomas Barrett has a 0.876 goals against average.
Dollaske said there are a couple reasons Carmel has made a run to state. The first reason: “They are the sum of their parts,” said Dollaske. “Yes, they have individuals with talent, but Coach Schmidt does an excellent job of putting all the pieces together and making everyone buy into their philosophy and style of play.”
The second reason, said Dollaske, is mental fortitude, which Carmel showed during its close tournament wins over Zionsville and Castle.
“Neither time did they crack under the pressure,” said Dollaske. “When every play, every decision, every touch is put under a microscope there is little room for error and they have done a great job of minimizing mistakes.”
“In order for us to be successful, Noblesville needs to continue to play the Noblesville way,” said Dollaske. “Play with pace, communicate, defend well on and off the ball and avoid compounding mistakes.”