With time running out and the prospect of overtime looming, Noblesville’s Ava Bramblett took matters into her own hands – or feet.
The No. 1-ranked Millers were locked in a battle with No. 4-ranked and Class 3A Sectional 8 host Hamilton Southeastern Tuesday in the first round of the tournament. The score was tied at 1-1 with under two minutes to go until Bramblett kicked a ball into the net. That was enough for Noblesville to win 2-1 and advance to the sectional semi-finals.
“I made that run like 10 times in the game,” said Bramblett. “And finally it was just me and the defender and I was like, ‘This is the crucial minute, just got to be selfish, take it myself.'”
Noblesville scored its goal in the first half, with Kiana Siefert finding the back of the net during the 25th minute.
“I could hear all my teammates telling me to turn, and I felt the defender on my back, so listening to my team, I just took the touch and found the net,” said Siefert.
The 1-0 score would stand at halftime and until the 59th minute. That’s when the Royals tied things up, as Tatum Coleman kicked the ball in from about eight yards. Southeastern played aggressive with several shots on goal during the second half, but the Millers were able to hold on.
“I think the whole team, under pressure, we play so well,” said Siefert. “Second half, we started getting frantic, but we just pulled it together. Ava’s a beast. We all just know what we need to do and we work together really well.”
“After they scored, our head didn’t drop,” said Bramblett. “We knew we had a goal. And nobody wants to go to overtime. You’re exhausted. You just got to put one in before.”
The well-played sectional game came on the heels of last week’s regular-season contest between the two schools, which ended in a 0-0 tie.
“Southeastern’s played us as well the last two games as anybody has this year,” said Noblesville coach Mike Brady. “They’re aggressive, they’re well-coached, they come out and play hard. It wasn’t a surprise to me that it was a close game down to the wire. Looked like we might be going into overtime, but this team has won enough close games over the last few years.”
“My kids played unbelievably well,” said Royals coach Greg Davidson. “Not as well as we would’ve liked in the first half, but the second half, we dominated them.”
Southeastern finished its season with a 12-2-3 record.
“I just want to say what an incredible journey it’s been with this team,” said Davidson. “I have loved every minute with this group. They are a special group, special team. And I’m just super proud of the team that they were all year, top to bottom. Every kid.”
The Millers are 14-0-1 and will play Pendleton Heights in Thursday’s sectional semi-finals.
Westfield won its opener at the Class 3A Sectional 10 at Carmel on Tuesday, beating Arsenal Tech 13-0.
The Shamrocks improved to 8-4-5 with the win and will play No. 10 Zionsville Thursday in the semi-finals.
Sheridan fell to sectional host and 1A No. 7 Tipton 7-0 in a Tuesday first-round game.
The Blue Devils scored three goals in the first 12 minutes, but the Blackhawks battled throughout the game and coach Brian Prange said his team “played very well all night.”
“The Lady Blackhawks ended their season, playing with everything they had and playing for each other,” said Prange.
Sheridan finished its season 7-7.