Hamilton Southeastern’s Sloane May leads the Royals in scoring with 15 goals this season. (Julie Brown/File photo)
By RICHARD TORRES
For The Reporter
FISHERS – Saturday night’s Class 3A girls soccer state championship game at IU Indianapolis’ Michael Carroll Stadium will feature a backyard brawl.
No. 1 vs. No. 3.
Hamilton Southeastern (21-0-1) vs. Carmel (19-2-1).
Only fitting that the top-ranked HSE Royals’ first IHSAA state finals appearance in 14 years is against third-ranked Carmel – the state’s most decorated girls program – in a battle for Hamilton County supremacy.
“Well, let’s face it. Hamilton County is a hotbed for soccer,” HSE coach Greg Davidson said. “Hamilton County is just great soccer, so it’s probably good that it’s two of those teams in the state championship and not having to take each other out like us and Noblesville had to take each other out the last few years.”
Unable to advance beyond sectional since 2012, the Royals are making up for lost time this year and find themselves full circle with Carmel representing the remaining hurdle in their path towards a potential first-ever state championship.
HSE’s last and only other state finals appearance was in 2011 when they lost to Carmel, 1-0, during the 2A championship before falling short of back-to-back berths with a loss at semi-state in 2012.
Since that setback, Hamilton County teams have collided in the 2A and 3A state championships four times, marking this the fifth in that span.
While HSE was outside looking in, Noblesville, which served as a sectional roadblock for the Royals, won five 3A state crowns with title game wins over county foes Carmel (twice in 3A, 2019-20 and 2022-23) and Guerin Catholic (2020-21).
Fishers defeated Carmel for the 2A title in 2014-15, further delaying HSE’s chances at a state championship run by combining with Noblesville to eliminate the Royals at sectional in 12 consecutive postseasons.
HSE netted their revenge this postseason by knocking off both Fishers, 1-0, and No. 16 Noblesville, 4-0, to win its seventh sectional title all time.
“I’m just so proud of the girls. They showed grit and determination and focus to achieve this goal and did what they had to do in every game to make sure that they put themselves in a position to be there,” Davidson said. “It’s an accomplishment to be there, but I don’t think anybody, including myself, is quite satisfied yet.”
Instead, the Royals are focused on halting Carmel’s hopes of extending its state-leading championship total to 12 during its state-record 16th state finals appearance.
“It makes it fun that it is a rival,” Davidson said. “This has got some stake in the game, if you will, because it is a backyard brawl in Hamilton County. I just think it adds to the luster.”
The Royals have star power to achieve their ultimate goal.
Led by senior Division-I recruits Riley Boyd (Indiana), Sydney Cook (Purdue), Blair Satterfield (Indiana), Sloane May (Michigan) and injured Kate Noel (Purdue), HSE is a team loaded with depth.
Juniors Addison McClain (midfield Ball State commit), Hannah Dodge (goalkeeper), Bailey Sapp (defense), Izzy Springer (midfield) and Sophia Reising (midfield) provide talent top to bottom in addition to sophomores Rebekah Tekrony (midfield), Sydney May (forward) and senior Lauren Kutoloski (defense).
“Our girls certainly don’t want to fall short, since we are here,” Davidson said. “We know Carmel is a great team, and one of the best teams in Indiana, but we certainly believe in ourselves and the things that got us to this.”
Sloane May (15 goals), Boyd (14 goals), junior forward Kherington Patton (12 goals), Sydney May (11 goals), sophomore Margaux Henning (11 goals) and McClain (nine goals) pace the offense.
However, the defense has tallied 17 clean sheets (15 for Dodge) and have allowed just six goals in 22 games played.
“My back line is accustomed to being very stingy,” Davidson said. “Out of six goals we’ve only given up four on the run of play.”
HSE beat No. 2 Homestead, 2-1, for its sixth regional title and No. 8 Crown Point, 5-1, for its second semi-state crown.
Carmel is next, a team the Royals bested 3-1 to open the season on Aug. 16.
“Winning sounds a whole lot better than just being in the state championship,” Davidson said. “It’s up to the girls to ensure that happens, but Carmel certainly isn’t going to give it to us. They certainly believe they can win, and they want to win as well. We’re going to have to earn it. We look forward to showing and proving.”
