IHSAA soccer: These are the favorites to win Evansville-area boys, girls sectionals
EVANSVILLE — This week should feature the best soccer of the season.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournaments begins Monday. The Evansville area is known for producing a few teams capable of reaching the final weekend at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis. Could it happen again?
First up is the sectional. There are several ranked teams in the Courier & Press coverage area. Here is a look at each local boys and girls soccer sectional and who has the best shot to win on Saturday based on their season and draw.
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
Class 3A at Castle
Favorite: No. 19 North
There isn't a team in this field playing better. The Huskies (14-2) have won 11 straight and posted 11 shutouts this season. Jeremy Anderson (19 goals) and Abrham Lucht (10 goals, 14 assists) are dangerous on the attack, while Zach Kennedy is strong in the midfield. North also won a share of its first SIAC title in program history.
Contender: No. 18 Castle, Jasper
The Knights were in good standing before a tough stretch this month that included four losses in six matches. Castle (9-5-2) does have a win over North and a talented lineup. Jasper (10-5-1) has the defensive style to have a chance against any opponent. A potential Castle-Jasper semifinal – the Wildcats won 1-0 on a penalty kick last weekend – could be appointment viewing.
Don't overlook: Harrison
There is no team closer to making a statement. The Warriors (8-7-1) lost to Jasper on penalty kicks, overtime to North and 1-0 to Memorial on a goal with two minutes left. Led by Luke Watkins (14 goals, 13 assists) and Santiago Arruffat, Harrison will not be an easy out.
Class 2A at Washington
Favorite: No. 14 Washington
The Hatchets (12-4) have fielded another title worthy team this fall. They only lost once in September and rolled through a perfect conference slate to win the PAC. Washington's calling card is a defense which allowed one or fewer goals 12 times this fall.
Contender: Princeton, Pike Central
The only other teams in the field with a winning record. The Tigers (9-7) have wins over Pike Central and Forest Park plus an overtime loss to Washington. They also have the potential benefit of missing the Hatchets until the final. The Chargers (10-7) likely face the favorites in the semifinal.
Class 2A at Heritage Hills
Favorite: No. 2 Memorial
After its sectional title streak ended last year in 3A, the Tigers have another squad to make a run. A good mix of upperclassmen and a talented freshman class bode well without a true superstar. Memorial (10-3-2) comes into the sectional with a five-game winning streak and won a share of the SIAC title.
Contender: No. 11 Heritage Hills
The defending regional champs had another solid season after graduating the bulk of last year's production. The Patriots (13-2-1) only lost to a pair of ranked teams, Washington and Forest Park, and would be the favorite in other sectionals. However, they'll need to beat Memorial in the semifinal.
Don't overlook: No. 19 Mount Vernon
This was the best season for the program in over 20 years. Grant Doherty (23 goals) and Andrew Santoro (20 assists) were among the top players in the PAC. The Wildcats (12-3) also got the best draw of the group with a bye opposite Memorial and Heritage Hills.
Class A at South Spencer
Favorite: No. 8 Forest Park
The defending champions (9-6-1) hit a rough patch with three losses in four matches during mid-September. None of the Rangers' losses this year came against a sectional opponent. The path to the championship isn't easy, but Forest Park still gets the nod.
Contender: Evansville Christian
The Eagles (11-3) had a solid first season as full-time IHSAA members. Their resume includes three wins over sectional opponents, while Josiah Dunham scored 20 goals. The draw did them zero favors with Forest Park in the opening round.
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
Class 3A at EVSC Fields
Favorite: No. 5 Castle
Arguably the deepest roster in the area. The Knights (13-2) have some of the top offensive playmakers in the field led by the trio of Aleyna Quinn, Jilly Higgins and Illinois-Chicago commit Emmy Higgins. Their only two losses this year were to Memorial and Carmel, two of the best teams in the state.
Contender: No. 10 Reitz
The Panthers have two of the top forwards in the city with Matea Bradfield (27 goals) and Evansville commit Taylor Johnson (23 goals, 26 assists). Reitz (13-3) also got the best possible draw with a bye against neither Castle or North. If there was a path for a sectional title, there is a case this year.
Don't overlook: North
The Huskies (8-5-2) posted a winning record led by a young squad. Abby Lloyd and Ava Baumann are solid attackers, while Zoe Szabo is arguably the top goalkeeper in the city. North also played Castle, its semifinal opponent, tough last week in a 3-2 loss.
Class 2A at Jasper
Favorite: No. 11 Jasper
The defending sectional champions have improved since last fall. The Wildcats (10-5-1) have notable wins over Mater Dei, Heritage Hills and Gibson Southern over the past month. Jasper has produced a clean sheet in five of its last seven matches.
Contender: No. 18 Washington
The Hatchets (11-4) are the only other team in the sectional with a winning record. They also get the Wildcats in the semifinal. Perhaps the championship will be decided on Thursday night.
Class 2A at Memorial
Favorite: No. 1 Memorial
The Tigers (16-0-1) have been one of the top teams in Indiana regardless of class. Led by Indiana commit Kennedy Neighbors and Evansville commit Ella Hamner, the defending state champions have rolled through a tough schedule. United Soccer Coaches has them ranked fourth in the country. It will take a supreme effort to dethrone Memorial.
Contender: No. 17 Gibson Southern
The Titans (15-2) have performed quite well and won the PAC with a perfect record. Ella Jones (23 goals) leads a solid offense, while Chloey Graham has 11 shutouts in net. Gibson Southern also has a manageable path opposite Memorial.
Don't overlook: Heritage Hills, Mount Vernon
The Patriots (10-5-1) have won six straight going into the postseason but face Memorial in the semifinal. Mount Vernon (8-6) and Maty Burnett (32 goals) is the top threat to Gibson Southern on the other side of the bracket.
Class A at Forest Park
Favorite: No. 4 Mater Dei
After falling short in Class 2A the past two seasons, the Wildcats (8-7) have the talent and pedigree to make a run here. The record is very misleading while playing against the SIAC and other ranked opponents. Tess Freeman (14 goals) and Este Bonnell (11 goals, 10 assists) are two of the top players in this field.
Contender: No. 5 Evansville Christian
The Eagles (12-1-1) have looked capable of making a tournament run in their first try. The offense is averaging 7.1 goals per game led by Peyton Geer (29 goals), Grace Wickersham (28 goals) and Tina Geer (18 goals, 32 assists). But the schedule beefs up immediately with a potential sectional path of Northeast Dubois, Forest Park and then Mater Dei.
Don't overlook: No. 15 Forest Park, Northeast Dubois
This is one of the deeper fields in Class A. Freshmand Kate Pund leads a balanced Forest Park (10-5-2) attack with seven goals. Northeast Dubois (8-2-1) gets the first shot at Evansville Christian. The Eagles won 5-1 last weekend.
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA soccer: Boys, girls favorites to win Evansville-area sectionals
