The REPORTER
Experience is leading the way for Carmel’s soccer teams as they prepare to begin the 2023 season.
That’s especially true for the Greyhounds’ girls team. Longtime Carmel coach Frank Dixon reports that 15 of the 25 players that dressed for the 2022 tournament are returning to the team this year. That number includes the Greyhounds’ two leading goal scorers.
Senior midfielder Megan Hamm put in 12 goals last season, while junior forward Olivia Cebalo scored 10. Hamm also dished out nine assists, making her the offensive leader with 33 points.
Eight other players scored at least one goal for the ‘Hounds last year. Sophomore Emma Ehret scored three goals, senior Clare Simmonds, junior Camryn Love and sophomore Adalyn Cameron all put in two goals, while seniors Ava Albright and Rylie Wolpolt, junior Addison Smith and sophomore Olivia Joyce each made one goal.
The other returning players are seniors Jane Bartling, Emily Boyer, Chloe Fouts and Olivia Gardner, and junior Vaughn Rohrbacher. In addition Carmel has extra talent from junior Rosie Martin, a transfer from Cathedral, and sophomore Ashlyn Anderson, who is a starter for the United States Soccer Federation’s U16 team.
“Carmel has had a great summer and tryouts,” said Dixon. “We played some top teams from around the state in our DeWayne Akin Summer Soccer Showcase and looked good before beginning tryouts. The group trying out was so good that I didn’t have room on the varsity roster for some really talented players. We have moved on to practices and the girls appear to be very focused on playing the first game against HSE.”
“Obviously with only a few practices in the books, we have a lot of room for improvement but you can see in practice how good this year’s group could be.”
Hamilton Southeastern’s girls team is also ready to roll, as it travels to Carmel’s Brian Murray Stadium on Saturday morning for both team’s opener. The Royals have five returning starters, led by senior Hailey Wade. A Valparaiso recruit, Southeastern coach Greg Davidson said Wade is the top goalkeeper in the state.
Another key returner is senior Ayla Conn, who is headed to Northern Kentucky. Davidson said Conn “is playing all world at midfield” and “is one of the top players in the state.” Other returning starters are senior midfielder Isabella Garcia, junior midfielder Cole Lance and sophomore defender Blair Satterfield, who Davidson called “an incredible defender.”
Seven more Royals return varsity experience, starting with senior forwards Alyssa Damon, Izzy Kistler and Norah Wans, and senior goalkeeper Marissa Reinhard. Junior goalkeeper Addy Ash also returns, along with projected starters, junior defender Abby Straus and sophomore forward Sloane May.
Davidson said Ash “would start on almost every other team in the state.” The coach continued that he is “blessed to have depth” at the goal position, as Reinhard is headed to Taylor University.
Rounding out the projected starters are junior forward Emma Reichert, followed by three sophomores: Forward Riley Boyd, and defenders Sydney Cook and Kate Noel.
“Sloane May and Riley Boyd will both score many goals for the Royals this year,” said Davidson.
The coach took his team to a summer tournament in Ohio, where Southeastern “really built some good team chemistry,” and won all of its games against top Ohio teams and one nationally-ranked team.
Carmel boys return 11 letter winners
Carmel’s boys team also has plenty of experience, with 11 returning letter winners back in a Greyhounds uniform this season.
All of the players on the varsity team are either seniors or juniors, with nine seniors earning letters. That includes both goalkeepers, Jacob Havice and Adam Keleher, midfielders Nick Wu, Jackson Jones, Connor Dora, John Gilbert, and Nick Basso, forward Hayden Warneke and defender Brigham Forsythe. Junior midfielders Dawson Droste and Chris Gabriel are also back.
“Practices are going very well,” said ‘Hounds coach Shane Schmidt. “We have a good mix of new additions to the squad this year, along with a strong group of returning players. Our training sessions have been crisp, clean, and intense. In the short amount of time we have been together, I feel as though we have a strong nucleus to build around.”
Carmel begins its season on the road Saturday, taking on Zionsville.
The guys are really excited to get the season rolling,” said Schmidt. “Tryouts ended on Thursday of last week and our first few training sessions have been great. This group of guys are prepared to carry on that proverbial torch and continue the Carmel Soccer traditions of pursuing a state championship, while representing Carmel High School and the community with sportsmanship, competitiveness, and class.”