By RICH TORRES
NOBLESVILLE – The third-ranked Class 3A Noblesville Millers are right where they want to be, but they aren’t even close to where they want to end up.
Unbeaten against three state-ranked opponents prior to Wednesday night’s Hoosier Crossroads Conference opener against 3A No. 12 Avon, the host Millers notched a fourth straight with a 3-0 shutout victory.
But by no means are they content. Not in late August.
“This is the toughest conference in the state, so we know we have to come out and play every night,” Noblesville head coach Michael Brady said. “But we’re nowhere near where we’re going to need to be to challenge for the conference, or again to make the kind of postseason run we hope to, but it is good steps.”
The Millers’ desired destination points towards October – the state tournament – when preparation should ideally equate results similar to 2017 when they won their ninth sectional and sixth regional in program history.
Behind a pair of goals by junior Carly Hudnall and another by senior Jewell Hensley on Wednesday, the Millers (3-0-1, 1-0 HCC) are unmistakably inching in the right direction.
In their season-opener on Aug. 13, the Millers tied 2A No. 2 Cathedral 1-1. During consecutive road matches, Noblesville defeated 3A No. 14 Brebeuf Jesuit 1-0 last Wednesday and later trounced 2A No. 8 West Lafayette 7-2 on Saturday.
A lining goal by Hudnall in the match’s fifth minute against Avon (0-2-1, 0-1 HCC) supplied a quick 1-0 first-half lead, which held up throughout, but it could have been more.
While the Millers’ midfield proved dominant, multiple scoring opportunities materialized, including a point-blank shot on goal by Hensley and a near breakaway attempt in the first half by Keely Hoopingarner that was halted with an offside call.
Steady play by Avon goalkeeper Lexi Carmack thwarted several attacks as the sophomore posted nine saves overall. Yet, Brady was quick to point out the obvious.
“Scoring early with Carly’s shot certainly was good for us and our mentality of pushing forward and trying to get those shots,” Brady said. “But again, it’s a long season. All I see is a lot to work on.”
The Millers are eager to put in the effort, especially after falling one step short of the state finals last season.
With 12 goals scored in four matches and 10 in the past two, Hudnall and her teammates want to see more efficiency, and most importantly, unified success.
“The past few games have been kind of rough, but I think we got together as a team today and figured it out. Our passing was really good,” Hudnall said. “We stand by ‘We Are Together,’ so I feel like we live up to that. As we keep winning, I feel our hard work pays off. We are together. We are a family.”
The Millers’ collective approach put them in position to win against Avon as they eye a potential repeat HCC bid this fall. Noblesville outshot Avon 20-5 and won the shots-on-goal battle 14-2.
“The mechanics is the middle. Every single aspect was good, but we’re really good in the midfield,” Hudnall said. “It’s really important to us. That’s where it all begins.”
Hudnall and Hensley were the finishers in the second half.
Hensley scored her first goal of the season in the 53rd minute off a scrum attack near the box. Hudnall converted her second goal of the game – and her fourth this year – in the 69th minute.
Before Hudnall’s no-doubter with 10:43 remaining, Hoopingarner just missed high on a high, hard shot and another Millers’ attempt drew crossbar in the 68th minute.
On defense, the Millers’ stout foursome of Sydney Anderson, Emma Porter, Jensen Summers and Brooke Hines kept goalkeeper Sara Kile’s night uneventful.
Avon was held without a shot on goal in the first half before Kile sprung to action late in the second half to record two saves.
“I think we figured it out, and we’re on the road to state,” Hudnall remarked. “That’s what we’re striving for. Not to be too cocky or anything, but we’re working our way towards it.”
The Millers’ immediate goal is the HCC, which picks up steam next week when they travel to Fishers on Aug. 29 for a conference meeting. They head to the Zionsville Invitational on Aug. 31, and their next home match is on Sept. 5 against HCC foe Westfield.
Noblesville clinched the HCC title last season with at 4-0-2 league record and finished the 2017 campaign 14-3-3, losing to eventual 3A state champion Penn in the Kokomo Semistate title match.
“Our philosophy, and you see it all around the school now, and it started with the girls soccer program, is ‘We Are Together.’ When we can play together, and you have the talent and the attitudes of the student-athletes we have, anything is possible,” Brady said. “That’s what they know. They’re not a great team right now, but they certainly have the makings to be one.”
