By RICH TORRES
NOBLESVILLE – Regulation wasn’t enough. Neither were two overtime periods or the ensuing five shootout kicks.
On Thursday night, the Class 3A No. 9 Fishers Tigers needed defense, an all-out effort and a “little luck” in the clutch. They found all three during the Sectional 8 semifinals and used them to upset No. 2 Noblesville at the White River Elementary School Soccer Complex.
Down 1-0 in their overtime shootout against the Millers, the Tigers regrouped and converted six consecutive penalty kicks, capped by the game-winner from Johanna Strueder, to win 6-5 and advance into Saturday’s sectional championship.
“That’s not a game most people would pick us to win, and to be honest with you, we knew we had our hands full. For what those kids did today is special,” Fishers head coach Ben Beasley said. “It’s like those old school runs. I’m happy to see a lot of alums here, and I think they knew it was special, too. It was a special win for the program.”
According to the state rankings, it was a game Fishers (10-3-1) was destined to lose, let alone challenge for 94-plus minutes, but despite getting out shot 14-4, the Tigers believed.
They didn’t flinch as Noblesville (9-2-5) posted five shots in the first half and another seven in the second with near goals sailing just high or wide.
Instead, the Tigers’ goalkeeping tandem of Jordan Imes and Kaitlyn Hicks combined for nine saves overall, and not even a shot on goal by Kaysey Castro that drew crossbar for the Tigers’ lone shot in the first half could rattle their poise
“Yesterday, we talked about playing for each other, and we made a contract with each other. We’re going to love each other no matter what,” Beasley remarked while sporting a fresh red mohawk. “I think that was the difference from a confidence standpoint. We knew we couldn’t lose, even if they pulled away.”
The Millers tried.
Coming off an emotional 2-1 win against No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern on Tuesday night in the sectional opener, Noblesville attacked repeatedly but met immediate resistance as Fishers’ defense clogged the midfield.
Hicks stone walled the Millers during the 37th minute as Keely Hoopingarner tried to line a header into the net off Jenson Summers’ free-kick feed, and Imes had four saves in the second half, including against a one-on-one, breakaway shot on goal from Millers’ leading scorer Carly Hudnall in the 77th minute.
“The other night, those went in for us, and we beat the No. 1 team in the state. Tonight, they didn’t and your season ends. Soccer is a fickle sport,” Noblesville head coach Michael Brady said. “Yeah, (HSE) was a big game, and it took a lot out of us, but we showed up to play tonight.” Fishers lost to Noblesville 5-2 during the regular season on Aug. 29, but after posting a season-best eight goals against Anderson for a shutout win in the first round on Tuesday, the Tigers were ready for the rematch.
“We knew they would be a different team than they were earlier in the season. They’re well coached and that’s a good soccer program,” Brady said. “We didn’t expect by any means that this game would be a several goal difference. We knew it would be a one-goal difference. We obviously were hoping it would be one goal in our favor.”
After Cecilia Goad buried the first overtime shootout kick, and goalkeeper Makenna Mundy blocked Castro’s attempt, the Millers seized their first lead, 1-0.
A save by Imes against Makenna Maloy on the Millers’ second shot gave the Tigers a chance as the shootout went beyond the required best of five.
“Nobody beats Noblesville without (defense) or a little bit of luck, ever, and a great effort,” Beasley said. “We’re fortunate that Noblesville had to come off a huge win two days ago. It was a perfect storm for us.”
Imes and Hicks were the cyclones, swapping spots, once again, before the Millers’ seventh shootout kick attempt. Tied 5-5, Hicks smothered a shot by Hudnall to setup Strueder’s walk-off heroics.
“Hicks came up big. She was fired up, so we got her in to make that big save,” Beasley said. “This goalkeeper duo is a special group. I’ve never seen two goalkeepers support each other more, and they go first and second half. It’s a really cool story.”
Strueder made certain the Tigers’ tale continued at least two more days. Fishers will face Pendleton Heights (10-4-2) for their potential fourth sectional title all-time and first since 2015.
The Tigers won back-to-back sectional championships in 2014 and 2015, reaching the state title match both years and winning it all the second time against rival Carmel.
Beasley believes the same could unfold again for his team, if the Tigers don’t allow themselves to become the third top-10 team to fall in Sectional 8.
“We knew Day 1, we had the right culture for it. Even our bus driver said so,” Beasley said. “There’s a lot of youngsters who worked hard to develop, and without those freshmen turning into really good players, I wouldn’t’ say we would have been a favorite when you look at the way the season started. It wasn’t exactly like we were dominating our opponents. We got hot at the right time, and here we are playing for a sectional.”
Noblesville was vying for its 10th sectional title run after reaching the semistate final last season. With “WAT” written on a few of the Millers’ arms, echoing the team’s mantra of “We Are Together,” the loss was collectively absorbed.
“Like I just told them, all 25 of us lost that game tonight. What we do, we do together. We all beat HSE the other night, and tonight was a loss for the team, not individuals,” Brady said. “They stepped up, but again, that’s just what happens.”
Fishers’ Taryn McFarland (2) and Noblesville’s Jenna Chatterton (13) keep their eyes on the ball during the Tigers-Millers girls soccer sectional semi-final game Thursday at the White River Elementary School Soccer Complex. Fishers won the game in penalty kicks and will play Pendleton Heights in Saturday’s championship game. (Kent Graham)