By RICHIE HALL
ZIONSVILLE – The Carmel girls sectional team got through the gauntlet that is Sectional 9, but not without one more stern test.
The No. 3-ranked Greyhounds were taken to overtime by No. 5 Westfield Saturday, Oct. 11 at Class 3A Sectional 9, hosted by Zionsville. Carmel prevailed in the second overtime period, edging out the Shamrocks 2-1 to claim its fifth consecutive sectional title and 21st in program history.
The Hounds had arguably the toughest path to a sectional title. Carmel had to beat No. 4 Zionsville in the first round, then No. 10 Cathedral in the semifinals before facing Westfield.
“We were a little tired in the legs tonight,” said first-year Greyhounds coach John Simmonds. “Westfield, (coach) Rachel (Fulkerson) did a good job with Westfield, had a good game plan for us, but as always, our girls just right till the end.”
Both teams scored a goal in the first half. Carmel’s Olivia Joyce went first, putting a goal in the net during the 19th minute. The Shamrocks made their answer with three minutes left in the half, with Tatum Hauser scoring the tying goal.
Neither team scored in the second half, so it was on to overtime, which consists of two seven-minute periods. The first OT was scoreless, but the Greyhounds broke through in the second overtime. A Carmel corner kick led to a scrum in the goal box, and Bella Cueto lobbed the ball into the net to break the tie. The Hounds held on from there.
“I went up to the corner there and I was just thinking, ‘this is our last chance,’” said Cueto. I told myself, ‘I’m going to find every possible way that I can to put this in.’
The Shamrocks finished their season 14-3-1 under Fulkerson’s first season. The coach was proud of her players and what her seniors established.
“They adapted so well and they welcomed us, and then they shared their ideas and we grew together,” said Fulkerson. “They challenged me, I challenged them and we were able to put some things together.”
Carmel improved to 16-2-1 and host Avon Thursday for Regional Semifinal 5. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.
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Sheridan saw its season come to an end Saturday, Oct. 11, as the No. 11 Blackhawks fell 3-1 to No. 2 Faith Christian in the championship of Class 1A Sectional 38.
Avery Hills scored a first-half goal for Sheridan. The Eagles led 2-1 at halftime and added another goal in the second half. Senior goalkeeper Makenzy Terry made five saves.
The Blackhawks finished their season 12-4-1.
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University lost to No. 6 Heritage Christian 8-0 in the final of Class 1A Sectional 41 at Cardinal Ritter.
The Trailblazers completed their season 11-7.