It’s a game that Carmel girls soccer coach Frank Dixon called “a backyard rivalry.”
The Greyhounds, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, made the short drive to Guerin Catholic Saturday afternoon to take on the 3A No. 17 Golden Eagles. Carmel got two early goals, and that allowed it to cruise to a 2-0 win over Guerin Catholic, keeping them unbeaten at 3-0 for the season.
“It’s always intense,” said Dixon. “But now they added Quincy McMahon to their team, and the kid’s in the national pool and she’s there for a reason.”
McMahon is part of the U-19 U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, and played for the Golden Eagles her freshman year before her family moved to Colorado for two years. She’s back in Indiana now for her senior season.
The Greyhounds scored both of their goals within 2 minutes and 10 seconds of each other. At the 12:58 mark, Lauren Bailey scored off a double assist from Saliyah Brady and Megan Hamm, a cross from the right side to the middle to the left. Minutes later, Brooke Bailey dribbled the ball into the net unassisted, putting Carmel ahead 2-0 at the 15:08 mark.
Erin Baker made eight saves for the Greyhounds, while Bailey Cappella made five saves for the Golden Eagles. Guerin Catholic is now 1-1 for the season; the Golden Eagles beat Zionsville earlier in the week for a season-opening win.
“I think they’re doing well,” said Sean Yau, who is in his first year as head coach of Guerin after spending a few years as an assistant. “Especially in the Zionsville game, they dictated the pace, they played physical. They played possession-oriented soccer and did what they needed to do to pull off the win.”
As for the Carmel game, Yau said he didn’t think there was anything his team did wrong, aside from the two goals. After that, the coach said his team “held possession really well, we defended pretty well and recalibrated and kept composure.”
The Greyhounds play at Ben Davis on Monday, while the Golden Eagles play at Heritage Christian on Thursday.
Hamilton Southeastern, ranked third in 3A, got two impressive victories Saturday at its own HSE Invitational.
First, the Royals beat 3A No. 11 Homestead 3-1. Maddie Bellaver scored the first goal off an assist by Olivia Smith, then Molly Harris added the second goal on a free kick. In the second half, Lauren Clark picked up her first varsity goal, with Bellaver assisting. Bellaver and Harris were Co-Players of the game.
In the afternoon game, Southeastern took on 3A No. 5 Evansville Memorial and won 1-0. The Royals scored three minutes into the game, with Bellaver finding the back of the net off Clark’s assist. Lydia Self was the Player of the Game after her defensive play.
Southeastern hosts Brownsburg on Wednesday in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game and also for Senior Night.
In Saturday boys action, Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern played to a 0-0 tie at the Greyhounds’ Brian Murray Stadium.
Fishers also played to a 0-0 tie against Plainfield.