Carmel’s Xander Dora (6) gets control of the ball during the Greyhounds’ regional semifinal win over Lawrence North on Wednesday. Also pictured for Carmel is Jet Truitt (19). (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
There is one more game to go for a regional championship, but Carmel was allowed to celebrate a little bit after winning its regional semifinal Wednesday.
The host and Class 3A third-ranked Greyhounds got past Lawrence North 1-0 in a hard-fought game at Brian Murray Stadium. Carmel was looking for redemption after falling in the regional semifinals in penalty kicks last year at the Wildcats’ stadium.
Enslin
This year’s game was just as close. Neither team scored in the first half and the second half was also ticking by without any score.
“Lawrence North played a fantastic game and had a great game plan,” said Greyhounds coach Shane Schmidt. “I think our boys just stuck to the task and just kept going at it and going at it, and the opportunities were starting to be created a little bit more towards the end. I don’t think in the first half we had as many opportunities.”
The Hounds had a chance to finally score with just under 12 minutes left in the half, but a certain goal was off by millimeters. That seemed to boost the energy, and Carmel kept the pressure on with a few more chances in the ensuing minutes.
Finally, with 2:16 left, the Greyhounds broke through when Troy Enslin got the ball in the net. Carmel easily held on for the remainder of the game.
“We just kept knocking on the door, kept the pressure on and gambled at the end there,” said Enslin. “Just bobbled through and I got a nice little tap-in.”
Schmidt said Enslin “did the same thing on Saturday” during the Greyhounds’ sectional final win over Zionsville.
“Super proud of him, super proud of the whole team,” said Schmidt.
Carmel was also keeping things solid on the defensive end as well. The Hounds have yet to give up a goal in four postseason games, and in fact delivered their 13th shutout of the season.
“Our defense is outstanding,” said Enslin. “I think they’re the best part of our team.”
Carmel is 15-1-3 and hosts No. 1-ranked Brownsburg at 2 p.m. Saturday in the regional championship.
***
Guerin Catholic’s Braden Lindley scored two goals for the Golden Eagles during their regional semifinal win at Delta on Wednesday. (Mike Navarro)
Guerin Catholic, ranked No. 2 in 2A, cruised past host Delta 5-1 Wednesday to reach the Concordia Lutheran regional championship.
Conner Klen scored the Golden Eagles’ first goal during the 10th minute. Delta answered with a goal in the 20th minute, and the score stayed 1-1 through halftime. Guerin Catholic dominated the second half, pouring in four goals.
Braden Lindley scored the go-ahead goal in the 51st minute, then eight minutes later took a pass from Gus Allen and put it in the net. Christian Zermeno and Caleb McGee both scored goals during the final 10 minutes.
Guerin Catholic is 15-4 and plays West Lafayette at 2 p.m. Saturday for the regional title.
***
Hamilton Southeastern fell to host and No. 5 Harrison 2-1 Wednesday in a Class 3A regional semifinal.
The game was tied 1-1 at halftime. The Raiders scored first, then the No. 10 Royals answered with a goal by Andres Mancillas in the 36th minute. But Harrison scored early in the second half and stayed in front from there.
Southeastern finished its season 11-4-5.
