The REPORTER
The IHSAA girls soccer season began in Hamilton County last Saturday with several teams getting together for big games.
Noblesville, the two-time defending state champion, opened its campaign by hosting Cathedral at Hallmark Orthodontics Soccer Complex. The Millers easily posted a 4-0 victory, scoring two goals in each half.
Noblesville defender Sadie Black gets control of the ball during the Millers’ season-opening
win over Cathedral last Saturday. (Richie Hall)
Kaydence Fleck got Noblesville on the board during the eighth minute of the game, with Lily Ault providing the assist. Fleck assisted the Millers’ second goal, which Meredith Tippner put in during the 32nd minute to give Noblesville a 2-0 halftime lead.
Tippner struck again early in the second half, kicking in a goal during the 45th minute. Bella Wyatt made the assist on that goal. Delaney Stone finished the scoring with a 49th-minute goal; Diem Bromley had the assist.
“It’s fun to get together and play, but it’s still really early and we have a lot of work to do,” said Millers coach Mike Brady, who began his 22nd season coaching the Noblesville girls. “But it’s good to play a team like Cathedral, and they’re going to compete for a state title this year.”
The Millers’ next game is Wednesday at Pendleton Heights.
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Hamilton Southeastern won an early clash of highly-ranked teams, beating Carmel 3-1 at the Royals’ field.
Gracie Pyle got Southeastern on the board with a first-half goal; that would be the only score of the half. Royals freshman Sydney May took over after that, putting in two more goals to secure the victory for Southeastern. The Greyhounds’ Elsie Flanders scored with 25 seconds left in the game; Kate Klinginsmith made the assist.
Sloane May handed out two assists, with Pyle also making one.
This week, the Royals travel to Franklin Central on Wednesday to begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play, then head to Newton Park in Lakeville on Friday for an evening game with Penn. Southeastern then takes on Evansville Memorial on Saturday, also at Newton Park.
Carmel plays its first home game Tuesday, welcoming South Bend St. Joseph to Murray Stadium. The Hounds then head to Guerin Catholic for a Saturday morning game.
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Westfield hosted Guerin Catholic in the opener for both schools, and the Shamrocks beat the defending 2A state champion Golden Eagles 2-1.
Guerin Catholic scored first, with Mia Gatz putting in a goal unassisted. Westfield’s Kate Malin tied the game in the 33rd minute, then scored early in the second half with a 47th-minute goal that sent the Rocks to victory.
Westfield travels to Fishers on Wednesday for an HCC contest. The Golden Eagles will also play Wednesday, hosting Zionsville before their Saturday game with Carmel.
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Fishers began its season with a 4-2 win at McCutcheon.
Junior Elise May scored two goals for the Tigers, with senior Grace Preston and junior Delaney Allgeier each putting in one goal. Sophomore Jena Love and senior Lauren Faulkner both had one assist.
Fishers plays its first home game Monday against Park Tudor before hosting Westfield on Wednesday.