It would not be an exaggeration to say that every girls soccer game involving a Hamilton County team is a big game.
That becomes even more true when two county teams play each other. And there will be big games right out of the gate as the season begins, starting with a Saturday contest between Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern at the Greyhounds’ Murray Stadium. Kickoff is 11 a.m.
Both teams will have a little bit of new look to them, as they each graduated several key seniors. The Royals have six graduating seniors now playing Division I soccer, while Carmel’s All-State goalkeeper Erin Baker is headed to Wright State. Both teams do have plenty of talent, though, and continue to have high expectations for the season.
“The defense will build around junior goalkeepers Aubree Empie and Bethany Ducat plus senior defenders Tamara Smith, Lila Simmons and Lauren Rainbolt,” said Greyhounds coach Frank Dixon. “Smith was very important last year in defending our opponents’ best attackers but this year she will have a new role coordinating our back four.
“Our offense will be a work in progress for the entire season. We have some good returners who were responsible for much of our scoring last year (Saliyah Brady, Lauren Bailey, Emily Roper and Megan Hamm) plus we have added a couple of freshmen who could do well but offense always demands good communication and that takes time to develop.”
SENIOR STARTERS
Southeastern has 13 players back with varsity experience, and will also draw from a junior varsity team that went 10-1 last season. Royals coach Greg Davidson said his team has 10 seniors, and they will start in most of those games. Indiana University commit Olivia Smith and junior Caroline Kelley are among the HSE players to watch.
“The team is a very tightknit group and the team chemistry is amazing,” said Davidson. “We will have a very fun season win lose or draw.”
A team everyone will be watching is Noblesville, the two-time defending Class 3A state champions. The Millers also begin their season on Saturday, playing Cathedral at Lawrence Park.
Noblesville went 17-0-1 last season, and while there were key graduations, such as Miss Soccer Jenna Chatterton, the Millers also have plenty of experience back. Seniors Carlie Sack, Isabella Griffey, Makenna Maloy and Kiana Seifert all played in the state championship game last season, along with juniors Ava Bramblett, Meskerem James, Lauren Adam and Grace Taskey.
“Currently, we’re getting to know one another and come together as a team,” said Noblesville coach Mike Brady. “We hope to grow all season and make another long, postseason run, but we have a lot of work to do before we worry about the postseason.”
NEW COACH
Fishers will also begin its season on Saturday, hosting McCutcheon. The Tigers have a new coach, Harold Spooner, who replaces longtime coach Ben Beasley. Spooner said he is “excited about the opportunity to continue the winning tradition” that Beasley has built, including a state championship in 2014.
The Tigers have nine seniors on their team this season, including a few familiar names. The seniors are Sami Bird, Taylor Hamilton, Alli Macbeth, Maria Okuszki, Ashley Rettig, Aubrey Robertson, Taylor Stone, Izzy Streeter and Ella Voight.
“We will be challenged early and often and we’ll get ample opportunities to find out who we are,” said Spooner. “I think we will be very balanced with nice mix of experience in the midfield and up top, and some exciting younger players in the back.”
Two more schools begin their seasons on Monday. Westfield opens up its campaign with a game at Lawrence North, then hosts Fishers on Wednesday.
“We are excited for the upcoming season,” said Shamrocks coach Hannah Eggert. “We have some really good incoming freshmen who are going to contribute right away.”
Eggert also mentioned key seniors returning, such as Second Team All-State player Amiah Sprunger and midfield contributor Madison Niehaus. Also back are goalkeepers Sydney Payne and Zoe McKinney.
“We are excited for both of our senior keepers to be returning in the net this fall as well,” said Eggert.
University starts its season Monday by hosting Eastern. The Trailblazers will be playing other schools this season after playing an intramural season last year. In addition, University has a new coach, Jeff Denny, who had previously been the head coach at Tri-West and the goalkeeper coach at Brownsburg.
STRONG SENIOR CORE
Hamilton Heights opens its season on Tuesday by hosting Heritage Christian. The Huskies have eight seniors on their varsity roster, including some familiar names: Emma Hall, Maddy Hutcherson, Samera Henson, Jayla Logan, Kyndall Ferguson, Keri Townsend, Kate Hayes and Jenn Houser.
“This season looks to be another strong one for us,” said Heights coach Travis Kauffman. “We return a really strong senior core that have been varsity starters since their freshman year. We also return most of a defense that only allowed 15 goals last season. So, expectations may be high but our success will depend on how well we also blend in some of the youth that we’ll be seeing this year.”
In addition, the Huskies have nine freshmen spread across their varsity and JV roster.
“Whether we win or lose on the field, though, I’m really looking forward to this group and how well they work, play, practice, and rally around each other as a team,” said Kauffman. “That positive attitude and team-first mentality is something I’ve grown to really appreciate about this group.”
Sheridan also starts its season on Tuesday. The Blackhawks will host Southmont, then travel to Frankfort for a Thursday game.
Guerin Catholic begins its season on Wednesday by playing at Zionsville. The Golden Eagles were the Class 3A state runners-up to Noblesville last season.
Here is a complete list of schedules involving Hamilton County teams.
CARMEL
Aug. 14: Hamilton Southeastern, 11 a.m.
Aug. 16: Pike, 7 p.m.
Aug. 20: Guerin Catholic, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23: Ben Davis, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28: Carmel Invitational, opponent TBA 9 a.m.
Aug. 28: Fishers, 6:45 p.m. (Carmel Invitational)
Sept. 3: Notre Dame Academy, 6 p.m. at Zionsville Invitational
Sept. 4: Simon Kenton, noon at Zionsville Invitational
Sept. 7: at Lawrence North, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9: Lawrence Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: at North Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Warren Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20: Noblesville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Center Grove, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: at Zionsville, 11 a.m.
Sept. 27: Westfield, 7 p.m.
FISHERS
Aug. 14: McCutcheon, 11:30 a.m.
Aug. 16: at Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 18: at Westfield, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 21: Franklin Central, 11:30 a.m.
Aug. 25: Zionsville, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 28: Cathedral, 10:45 a.m. at Carmel Invitational
Aug. 28: at Carmel, 6:45 p.m. (Carmel Invitational)
Sept. 1: at Noblesville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: Hamilton Southeastern, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Plainfield, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 13: Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Brownsburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: at Harrison, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: Avon, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: North Central, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Guerin Catholic, 7 p.m.
GUERIN CATHOLIC
Aug. 18: at Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Aug. 20: at Carmel, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: Heritage Christian, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28: Brebeuf Jesuit, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30: Westfield, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31: at Covenant Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 2: Roncalli, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4: Bishop Chatard, noon
Sept. 11: Lafayette Central Catholic, 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: at Evansville Memorial, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20: at Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: South Bend St. Joseph, 1 p.m.
Sept. 25: Penn, 6 p.m.
Sept. 27: Center Grove, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: Fishers, 7 p.m.
HAMILTON HEIGHTS
Aug. 17: Heritage Christian, 7 p.m.
Aug. 21: at Lebanon Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 25: Western, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28: Yorktown, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 31: Northwestern, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: at University, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: Tipton, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: Kokomo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Frankfort, 10 a.m.
Sept. 13: at Sheridan, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: at Bishop Chatard, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21: Hoosier Conference Tournament, 5 p.m. at TBD
Sept. 23: Hoosier Conference Tournament, 5 p.m. at TBD
Sept. 25: Hoosier Conference Tournament, times TBD at Northwestern
Sept. 27: Greenfield-Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Pendleton Heights, 7 p.m.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN
Aug. 14: at Carmel, 11 a.m.
Aug. 18: Franklin Central, 7 p.m.
Aug. 20: at South Bend St. Joseph Invitational, 6 p.m.
Aug. 21: at South Bend St. Joseph Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 25: at Brownsburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1: Avon, 7:45 p.m.
Sept. 3: Evansville Mater Dei, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4: Evansville Reitz, 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Fishers, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Crown Point, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 11: at Fort Wayne Carroll, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: Westfield, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 18: at Mount Vernon, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Zionsville, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 29: Noblesville, 7:15 p.m.
NOBLESVILLE
Aug. 14: Cathedral, 11:30 a.m. at Lawrence Park
Aug. 21: West Lafayette, 12:30 p.m.
Aug. 25: at Avon, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1: Fishers, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 3: at Park Tudor, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4: at North Central, 11 a.m.
Sept. 8: at Westfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: at Harrison, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 15: Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: Brownsburg, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: at Carmel, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Franklin Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: Penn, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Hamilton Southeastern, 7:15 p.m.
SHERIDAN
Aug. 17: Southmont, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 19: at Frankfort, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 23: International, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 25: at Tri-Central, 5 p.m.
Sept. 2: Western Boone, 5 p.m.
Sept. 7: Faith Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Beech Grove, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13: Hamilton Heights, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14: at North Montgomery, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Crawfordsville, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Eastern, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 21: at University, 5 p.m.
Sept. 23: Rossville, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: North Miami, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Tipton, 5:30 p.m.
UNIVERSITY
Aug. 16: Eastern, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 18: Traders Point Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 21: at Pendleton Heights, 10 a.m.
Aug. 23: Shortridge, 5 p.m.
Aug. 26: at Scecina, 5 p.m.
Aug. 28: Muncie Burris, 10 a.m.
Sept. 1 Hamilton Heights, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 3: at Bethesda Christian, 5 p.m.
Sept. 7: Cardinal Ritter, 5 p.m.
Sept. 8: International, 5 p.m.
Sept. 13: at Greenwood Christian, 5 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Park Tudor, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Tipton, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 21: Sheridan, 5 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Western Boone, 5 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Triton Central, 5 p.m.
WESTFIELD
Aug. 16: at Lawrence North, 7 p.m.
Aug. 18: Fishers, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 21: Plainfield, 11:30 a.m.
Aug. 23: at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 25: at Franklin Central, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30: at Guerin Catholic, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: at Zionsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7: Bishop Chatard, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Noblesville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Hamilton Southeastern, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: at Brebeuf Jesuit, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 20: Pendleton Heights, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Brownsburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: at Carmel, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Avon, 7 p.m.