By CRAIG ADKINS
The Fishers Tigers knew that it wouldn’t be an easy match against the Pendleton Heights Arabians, but they knew they could find a way to advance to the second round for a second date of the year with Hamilton Southeastern.
It didn’t take long, but the Tigers came away with a 2-0 first round Class 3A Sectional 8 win over Pendleton Heights on Monday night at Noblesville.
They got their scoring started early with a goal from senior defender Quinn Luckie at the 31:04 mark of the first half.
“Yeah, that’s for certain, they came to play,” Fishers head coach Robbie Pels on the aggressive play of Pendleton Heights.
“As far as on the defensive side, I really think they set the tone,” Pels on the constant defensive pressure by the Arabians all game long.
Fishers netted their other goal when senior midfielder Drew Gavit sent the ball into the net with 17:59 left in the first half for what would hold up to be the final score of 2-0.
“Our goal as always is to come out and establish dominance in the first 10 minutes and so goal achieved and so it kind of puts them on their back foot and their ability to sit in defensively is gone at that point,” Pels on his Tigers’ ability to get in command of the game from the start.
With the first round win, Fishers (6-9-2) advances to play No. 2 Hamilton Southeastern (14-1-2) in the first semifinal on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Pendleton Heights finishes its season at 8-9-1.
Fishers’ Drew Gavit scored the Tigers’ second goal in their 2-0 sectional win over Pendleton Heights Monday at Noblesville. (Kent Graham)