By CRAIG ADKINS
After a hard fought win over Class 3A Sectional 8 host Nobleville 3-2 on Monday night, Hamilton Southeastern had to face its neighbors in the Fishers Tigers in the first semi-final on Wednesday night.
Hamilton Southeastern found ways to put the ball into the net, advancing to the sectional championship game with a 3-1 win over Fishers.
The Royals got their first goal just 97 seconds into the match when the ball bounced up and touched the hand of Fishers forward Jacob Lawrence at the front of the 18, giving the Royals a penalty kick. Senior Sam Rowlison scored on the PK to put HSE up early 1-0.
It would be about 16 minutes later and the Royals added another goal. This time it was junior midfielder Sean Williams with 21:50 left until halftime for a 2-0 Royals advantage.
The Fishers Tigers continued their relentless pursuit to stay aggressive and try to cut into the Southeastern lead. And, they did just that with 5:06 left in the first half on a Yuto Nakamae long goal from close to 40 feet out, cutting the Tigers’ deficit in half at 2-1.
The second half became a game of spacing for Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers was trying to do everything possible to tie the game up.
Moments after a corner kick, senior Roth Susemichel took a rebound off of his foot and scored with 25:44 remaining in the game that would separate the Royals enough to secure their spot in the sectional championship game.
The second-rated Royals (15-1-2) will face Muncie Central (8-4-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday at the White River Elementary field in Noblesville for the Sectional 8 title. Fishers ends its 2017 season at 6-10-2.
Muncie Central bests Anderson
North Central Conference rivals Muncie Central and Anderson met in the second semi-final Wednesday at Noblesville. After a 0-0 tie at halftime, it was almost certain that goals would be scored in the second half.
The Bearcats took more shots and had more opportunities down the stretch and came away with a 2-1 semifinal win.
A ricochet goal from freshman Nathan Bailey with 38:16 left got the Bearcats’ scoring going. Muncie Central would cushion its lead on a senior Clark Bailey’s penalty kick goal with 30:04 in the game.
Anderson would score moments later with 29:08 on the clock, but it wouldn’t be enough, ending its season.
The Indians finish the season at 2-11-1.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Chayton Davidson (7) keeps control of the ball while Fishers’ Nolan Ahearn defends during the Royals-Tigers boys soccer sectional semi-final game Wednesday during Class 3A Sectional 8 play at Noblesville. The No. 2-ranked Royals won 3-1 to advance to Saturday’s championship. (Kent Graham)