The REPORTER
The Noblesville boys soccer team, two-time defending Class 3A state champions, opened sectional play Monday by beating a tough Muncie Central team 2-0.
The Bearcats held the No. 1-ranked Millers scoreless in the first half with difficult defense, and their goalkeeper saved a penalty kick during that half. Noblesville broke through in the second half, when Alex Pursch sent a cross from the left flank to Ashton Craig on the back post. Craig made a header to send the ball into the net.
Less than a minute later, Ben Hewitt scored. He collected the ball near midfield, dribbled 40 yards, then blasted the ball into the net with a left-foot kick.
The Millers are 12-0-5 and play Pendleton Heights in tonight’s first semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. That will be followed by the second semifinal game, between No. 6 Fishers and No. 18 Hamilton Southeastern.
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Two Hamilton County teams met Monday in the first round of Class 3A Sectional 10 at Zionsville.
No. 2-ranked Carmel got on top of Westfield early and eventually won 5-1 to advance to tonight’s sectional semifinals, The Greyhounds will play the host and No. 5-ranked Eagles, with North Central and Herron playing in the other semifinal.
Christian Nielsen scored the Greyhounds’ first goal, off an assist by Hayden Warneke. Johnny Gourley added a goal during the 21st minute, with Nielsen assisting, and Carmel led 2-0 at halftime.
The Shamrocks scored during the 57th minute; Grant Myers scored the goal with Oliver Smith making the assist. Gourley put in a goal five minutes later to give the ‘Hounds a 3-1 lead. John Gilbert put an assist from Connor Dora into the net for Carmel’s fourth goal, and Warneke added the fifth goal, with Nielsen making his second assist of the night.
Carmel is 14-1-2 for the season, while the Shamrocks finished 9-6-2.
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Guerin Catholic hosted the first round of Class 2A Sectional 26 on Monday.
The No. 13-ranked Golden Eagles had a difficult assignment, playing No. 2-ranked Brebeuf Jesuit. The Braves won 4-1. Gavin Rieck scored Guerin Catholic’s goal in the second half, with Carson Prather making the assist.
In the second game, No. 10 Hamilton Heights lost a tough one to No. 9 Heritage Christian, 2-1 in overtime. After a scoreless first half, the Eagles broke through with a goal in the 43rd minute.
The Huskies came back with 12:11 left in the half, as Phoenix Vondersaar scored off an assist by Micah Colvin. The score stayed 1-1 through the end of regulation, which sent the contest to overtime.
A soccer tournament overtime consists of two seven-minute periods. Heritage got the winning goal with 1:20 left in the second overtime, then held on from there.
The Golden Eagles finished 5-10-1, while Heights completed an 11-2-5 season.