How’s this for a season-opening girls soccer game: Hamilton Southeastern playing at Carmel.
Two of the perennial top soccer teams in Indiana faced off Saturday morning at the Greyhounds’ Brian Murray Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Carmel scored its goal in the first half; Camryn Love found the back of the net with Sophie Shepherd making the assist. Southeastern answered in the second half when Caroline Kelley scored off a Kiley Jones assist.
Both coaches were pleased with the effort after the game.
“I think we played really well,” said Greyhounds coach Frank Dixon. “We almost seemed like we were in mid-season form after we got the first 15 minutes or so in.”
Dixon said he was glad the effort came against the Royals, saying that it’s “always a good test to play somebody that’s really, really good,” as both Carmel and Southeastern are top 50 nationally-ranked teams.
“We’re playing a good team, so we’re playing well,” said Dixon. “I like where we are.”
“First game, when you got two nationally ranked teams and two of the storied programs going at it, it always sets you up for your season, win lose or draw,” said HSE coach Greg Davidson. “Frank and his kids played great. We started off super strong and super proud of our girls.”
Both teams will play conference opponents in their next games. Carmel will host Pike in its Metropolitan Conference opener on Monday, while the Royals begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play Wednesday by welcoming Franklin Central.
Noblesville, the two-time defending Class 3A state champion, began its season Saturday morning with a 5-0 win over Cathedral at Lawrence Park.
The Millers led 1-0 at halftime, thanks to a late goal by Isabella Griffey. Noblesville caught fire in the second half with four goals: Ava Bramblett scored off a Meredith Tippner assist during the first minute of the half.
Bramblett scored again in the 48th minute to give the Millers a 3-0 lead. Makenna Maloy added the fourth goal off a Meskerem James assist, then Mackenzie Miller completed the scoring with under five minutes left by getting her first varsity goal. Nadia Zaborowski provided the assist.
Noblesville plays its first home game next Saturday, hosting West Lafayette.
Fishers began its season Saturday with an 8-0 home win over McCutcheon.
The Tigers go on the road Monday, playing at Pendleton Heights.
BOYS GAMES
The Carmel boys soccer team opened its season on the road Saturday, winning at Zionsville 2-0.
Braden Thomson and Will Latham both scored one goal for the Greyhounds, with Will Morgan assisting both times. TJ Barrett got the shutout on goal.
“It was a good start to the season playing a quality opponent on the road,” said Carmel coach Shane Schmidt.
The ‘Hounds host Noblesville on Thursday for their home opener.
Hamilton Southeastern picked up a win in its first game, beating Mount Vernon 4-0 in a home contest.
The Royals scored two goals in each half. Evan Dawdy got the first goal, then Jonathan Leeper found the back of the net to give Southeastern a 2-0 halftime lead. Blake Braden put in HSE’s third goal, and Noah Link finished the scoring with the fourth goal.
The Royals play at Lawrence North on Tuesday.
JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER SCORES
The Noblesville girls junior varsity soccer team beat Cathedral 4-0 in its season opener.
Scoring goals for the Millers were Atley Pittman, Lillian Ault, Maya McDonald and Reagan Keever.
In other county scores, Carmel won a JV game over Hamilton Southeastern 1-0, while Fishers defeated McCutcheon 6-0.