Carmel goalkeeper Annalise Hicks (50) and midfielder Nora Naas (30) clear a ball during the Greyhounds’ win over Park Tudor on Wednesday. (Richie Hall)
Posted By: Richie Hall May 7, 2026
By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – The Carmel girls lacrosse team began its quest for another state championship on Wednesday.
The defending state champion Greyhounds beat Park Tudor 17-6 in opening-round play at Brian Murray stadium. Carmel dominated the first half and held firm in the midst of a run by the Panthers in the third quarter.
The Panthers led 2-0 early in the first quarter before the Hounds ran off eight straight goals, finishing the period ahead 8-2. Julianna Mancini scored two goals, followed by six other Carmel players with one goal each: Ellie Espy, Kylie McGarty, Mallory Wingenroth, Sadie Benson, Jacqueline Mabry and Liv Coellner.
Marby added another goal to start the second quarter, then Lucile Esterline scored. Katherine McKeever finished the half with two goals, giving the Greyhounds a 12-3 lead at the break.
“I thought we played well in the first half,” said Carmel coach Josh Miller. “I thought the first half was pretty clean and crisp. I thought we made some really good decisions.” Miller also credited the team with moving the ball well and were strong with ground balls.
Park Tudor cut the Greyhounds’ lead to 12-6 with 2:27 left in the third quarter before Carmel scored two goals – one each from Julia Flores and Coellner – to stay ahead 14-6 going into the fourth. The Hounds then shut out the Panthers in the final quarter. Lila Hammons scored twice and Harper Colton put in the final goal.
“We responded well,” said Miller. “I think we took some good shots today. That helped.”
Carmel will await the winner of a first-round game between Westfield and Evansville North that will be played on Saturday. As a result, the Greyhounds have to wait until next weekend for their quarterfinal game.
“We’re just going to keep working on our fundamentals,” said Miller. “Handling our practices the way we’ve been handling them all year. We have some intense practices, we have a lot of fast practices. I think we’re going to keep that momentum and that pace going.”
