The REPORTER
The stage is set for two tremendous sectional semifinal match-ups involving Hamilton County’s Class 3A girls soccer teams.
Top-ranked Carmel and No. 5 Westfield will play each other Thursday at the Greyhounds’ Murray Stadium in the semifinals of Sectional 10. Meanwhile, Sectional 8 host and No. 2-ranked Hamilton Southeastern will take on No. 3-ranked and defending state champion Noblesville, also on Thursday.
All four teams easily won first-round matches on Tuesday to advance to their respective semifinals.
The Royals defeated Anderson 9-0. Riley Boyd scored two goals, followed by one goal each from Norah Wans, Kate Noel, Ayla Conn, Addison McClain, Alyssa Damson, Mia Libich and Kaylan Hoener. Noel, Sloane May, Damson, Tessa Green, Gracie Pyle and Rylie Bryges each had one assist.
The Millers were also 9-0 winners over Muncie Central. Stats from that game were not available at press time. Southeastern is 13-1-3 for the season while Noblesville is 11-1-3.
Over at Murray Stadium, the Greyhounds defeated Crispus Attucks 9-0. The Greyhounds led 6-0 at halftime; Megan Hamm scored two goals during the first eight minutes. Other first-half goals came from Adalyn Cameron, Clare Simmonds, Olivia Joyce and Elsie Flanders. Emma Ehret scored two goals in the second half, then Olivia Ade put in the ninth goal to end the game.
“We played everybody and we actually brought four kids up from the JV,” said Carmel coach Frank Dixon. The coach said all those players got some playing time, with everybody getting to see action for “pretty close” to one half of the game.
“They love it,” said Dixon. “They deserve it, they worked hard all year long and they made the starters what they are, so they deserve the time.”
Lindsey’s hat trick
The Shamrocks had a tougher game, as they took on North Central. Neither team scored in the first half, but Westfield broke it open in the second half, scoring four goals for a 4-0 victory.
Lindsey Cassady led the way for the ‘Rocks. She scored the first goal in the 44th minute on a penalty kick, then used a header to send a second ball into the net in the 48th minute. Cassady then blasted a 25-yard rocket into the net a couple minutes later, and Westfield had a 3-0 lead.
“It definitely increased our confidence and increased the momentum going forward,” said Cassady. “And we knew that we could just find the back of the net now.”
Cassady
Kate Malin put in the Shamrocks’ final goal of the game, nailing a PK in the 71st minute. Meanwhile, Westfield’s defense did its job, with Kate Pallante and the back line stopping any of the Panthers’ opportunities.
“Our back line did really well, Kate did really well,” said ‘Rocks coach Hannah Eggert. “The fans got into it a little bit and they were able to keep their composure and keep the clean sheet for us.”
Carmel is 14-0-3 for the season, while Westfield is 10-2-5.
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Hamilton Heights advanced to the semifinals of Class 2A Sectional 24 at Yorktown by beating Jay County 3-0 on Tuesday.
The Huskies led 1-0 at halftime, with Addyson Ferguson putting in Heights’ goal. Lizzy Smith added a second goal midway through the second half, then Ella Hickok scored a few minutes later.
The Huskies are 10-4-3 and play Delta Thursday in the semifinals.
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Host Sheridan cruised past Taylor 6-0 Tuesday to reach the semifinals of Class 1A Sectional 37.
The Blackhawks got on the board 12 minutes in the game, when Norah Stites scored off an Emma Alexander corner kick. Sheridan began to roll after that: Cecelia Timme put in a goal, with Sadie Timme making the assist, then Stites scored again to give the ‘Hawks a 3-0 lead.
Alexander scored two goals for Sheridan in the second half. Makenzy Terry earned another shutout as goalkeeper.
The Blackhawks are 10-5-1 and play Tipton Thursday in the semifinals.
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University lost a tough first-round game in Class 1A Sectional 42 Tuesday at Cardinal Ritter, as the Trailblazers were beaten in penalty kicks by Bethesda Christian.
The Patriots led 2-0 during the first half before University came back to tie the game at 2-2 by the end of regulation. Kierra Bright and Mack Feeney both scored for the ‘Blazers. Neither team scored in overtime, which sent the game to the shootout, which Bethesda won 3-1.
University finished its season 5-7-2.