The Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer team stayed perfect in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference with a 3-0 win at Westfield on Wednesday.
It was a big win for the Royals, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and No. 25 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com national poll. Southeastern is now 5-0 in conference play and also handed the Shamrocks their first loss in the league. Westfield, under first-year coach Hannah Eggert, had gotten some big wins over Zionsville and Fishers.
“She has done an amazing job with the Westfield team,” said Southeastern coach Greg Davidson. “This is not the same Westfield team that we played last year.”
The Royals scored their first two goals in the first half. Ashlyn Freeman got the first score, off an assist by Claire Wilkinson. Molly Harris scored HSE’s second goal, off a rebound shot by Bri Straus.
Southeastern added a third goal six minutes into the second half, with Taylor Pozzebon scoring off Ava Keaffaber’s assist.
“We never want to stop scoring, so to get a third goal to really put it out of reach was brilliant from our girls,” said Davidson.
Westfield is now 3-1-1 in the HCC and Eggert said the season has definitely been better than previous ones.
“Last year these girls didn’t win a conference game, so coming in and winning three against three really tough teams – Franklin Central, Fishers and Zionsville – and then tying Noblesville, I think that’s huge progress from last year and we couldn’t be more excited for the direction that the program’s going,” said Eggert.
The Royals are 8-1-1 overall and play their Senior Night game tonight, hosting 3A No. 18 Mount Vernon. The Marauders are undefeated at 10-0.
Westfield is 4-5-1 overall and plays at Pike on Saturday morning.
Noblesville remained in the HCC chase on Wednesday after beating Zionsville 2-0 at the Eagles’ field.
Makenna Maloy and Keely Hoopingarner each scored a goal for the 3A No. 3 Millers, with Jenna Chatterton assisting Maloy’s goal. The victory puts the Millers at 3-0-1 in the conference and 6-1-2 overall.
Noblesville will play another conference game on Saturday, traveling to Brownsburg to play the 3A No. 7 Bulldogs.
Carmel won on the road Wednesday, taking care of Warren Central 5-1 in a Metropolitan Conference game.
The 3A No. 4 Greyhounds led 2-0 at halftime. Kelsie James scored two goals for Carmel, with Ashley Witucki, Emma Antoine and Emily Roper all getting one. James, Susie Soderstrom, Naomi Mann and Tamara Smith each handed out one assist.
“I feel that several teams that we may play in the upcoming IHSAA tournament will try to play good defense and run the clock in games against us,” said Greyhounds coach Frank Dixon. “That makes competitions like tonight’s game important to our preparations. Warren Central has one of the best goalkeepers in the state playing behind an athletic defense. We created 45 shots, put 27 of those shots on goal and watched the Warren keeper ‘stand on head’ making 22 saves. I don’t think we will see a better goalkeeper this year so I’m excited about our ability to beat her.”
Carmel is now 6-0 in the MIC and 9-1-1 overall. The ‘Hounds play at Noblesville on Monday.
University tied with Park Tudor 1-1 on Wednesday.
The 1A No. 14 Panthers scored their goal 12 minutes into the first half. The 1A No. 17 Trailblazers continued to battle and broke through with seven minutes left in the second half when Meredith Malott played a ball into the box and Brooke Andrus put it into the net.
Junior Lilly Fair had 14 goalkeeper saves, while seniors Hallie Harrison, Malott and freshman Olivia Morrison also played strong.
University plays at Tipton this afternoon.
Sheridan dropped a 3-0 game to North Montgomery on Tuesday.
The Chargers scored two early goals to take a 2-0 halftime lead, then added a third goal in the second half. The Blackhawks’ sophomore goalkeeper Cierra Garrison made seven saves, while juniors Makenna Hammack and Jensyn Walker combined for 10 shots on goal.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Molly Harris puts in a goal during the Royals’ game at Westfield on Wednesday. Top-ranked Southeastern won 3-0 to stay perfect in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play. (Kirk Green)
Westfield goalkeeper Libby Rismiller played well for the Shamrocks. (Kirk Green)