By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – The 2019 edition of the Noblesville girls soccer team will always have happy memories of the Fishers High School football stadium, because that’s where the Millers became state champions.
Noblesville won a well-played Class 3A state final Saturday afternoon, beating old rival Carmel 1-0. The Millers thus won their first IHSAA state girls soccer title and second overall. Noblesville won a pre-IHSAA state championship in 1991.
“This is what we’ve worked for all season,” said Millers coach Mike Brady. “Our goals are conference, sectional, regional, semi-state, and if you want to be a state champion, you have to beat the best. Carmel sets the bar every year, and today we were able to achieve the goal we’ve worked for.”
It was the first time the No. 2-ranked Millers had played the No. 1 Greyhounds in the IHSAA tournament in 11 years, after the two teams met almost regularly in the post-season since soccer became an IHSAA sport in 1994. Brady said he wanted all of his past players to share in the moment as well.
“I couldn’t be more proud of all 27 girls on this team and I would like to say for my 17 years here, this state title is for everybody who’s ever been a Miller,” said Brady.
Noblesville won its title by using its trademark defense, and also by breaking through Carmel’s tough defense, which had not allowed a goal throughout the post-season.
The Millers showed off their defense right away. Just over a minute into the game, Carmel’s Kelsie James was driving towards the Noblesville goal, but Millers goalkeeper Sara Kile grabbed the ball once it reached the goal box, taking away what would have been a certain goal.
“Every player on the field today set the tone,” said Brady. “They knew they’d have to battle a good soccer player and one after another, they went into battles and for the most part won them. And if you’re going to beat a team as good as Carmel, 18-0-3, you have to win everything to have a chance.”
Neither team scored in the first half, but both had opportunities. James had four of the Greyhounds’ five shots on goal, while Jenna Chatterton and Elana Chatterton both had a shot on goal for Noblesville. Carmel goalkeeper Erin Baker saved them both, while Kile saved four of the five shots on goal. Brooke Hines cleared out the fifth.
The Millers got their goal in the game’s 44th minute. Jenna Chatterton took the ball up the sideline, then kicked it over to Kiana Siefert, who was waiting just in front of the net. Siefert then easily booted the ball into the goal from about six feet away.
“We were completely focused on just getting up there and getting open, finding the through runs and scoring,” said Siefert. She credited Chatterton with having “the talent of finding those through balls in the exact spot to get it in for whoever’s running on to it to have a perfect shot on.”
Noblesville held on to that one-goal lead for the remainder of the game. Carmel ramped up its offense during the middle portion of the second half, making seven shots between the 58th and 72nd minutes.
“That’s how Carmel plays,” said Brady. “They’re a good team, good players and good players off the bench. We knew we were going to have to weather a few storms, and with Sara Kile in goal and the way my back line played, I knew we could defend them. But you knew that they were going to get their opportunities because they’re too good of players and they’re too well-coached.”
But the Millers were able to hold off the Greyhounds during that run, and took control of the game in the final few minutes, sealing their state championship. It was a quick and well-played game – neither team was called for an offsides during the entire 80 minutes.
Kile finished the game with seven saves, while Baker had five saves. Carmel’s Olivia Fray won the Mental Attitude Award following the match.
The Noblesville team also greatly appreciated the support of the community, with many fans taking pictures and saying congratulations after the match concluded.
“I’m just glad our community came and supported us,” said Jenna Chatterton.
“Everyone was here for us,” said Siefert. “There’s so many people who showed up.”
The Millers finished the season 17-0-3, while the Greyhounds completed their season with an 18-1-3 record.
The Noblesville girls soccer team won its first IHSAA state championship Saturday at Fishers High School. The Millers held off their old rival Carmel 1-0, finishing an unbeaten season with a 17-0-3 record. (Richie Hall)
The Carmel girls soccer team finished as the Class 3A state runner-up, falling to Noblesville 1-0. It was the 13th appearance for the Greyhounds in the state championship game. (Richie Hall)