The 2A #3 Lady Irish traveled to nationally ranked (#17 by TopDrawerSoccer.com) Noblesville High School to challenge the Millers.  It was a warm, beautiful evening on a gorgeous field against a team that may well challenge for a 3A state championship in a couple months.  The two programs played with the kind of skill, power and spirit that has become the norm over the past two decades.

The JV match was an even battle for most of the 70 minutes with Noblesville scoring an opportunistic goal and a 1-0 lead into the half after outshooting the Irish 6-4.  The Millers opened the second by pinning Cathedral in their own end for the first 10 minutes.  Although Noblesville had more shots (14-7) for the match, their 3-0 win seemed more like a one goal match.  Overall, the Irish performed well aside from a couple self-inflicted wounds that cost them 2 goals.  This should be a good season for the JV squad!

In the varsity match, the intensity was at an end-of-season level from the start.  The Irish matched the Miller’s intensity level and physicality from the opening whistle.  Senior goalkeeper Sophia Saucerman parried a sure goal just over the crossbar to announce the incredible match she would have.  A wonderfully competitive first half seemed to provide the first goal when Noblesville was awarded a penalty kick.  However, Saucerman made a match saving play by diving to her left and denying the opportunity with an incredible effort.  The teams would play to a 0-0 score at halftime with each team recording 3 shots.

The second half saw neither team let down.  Both teams had chances as the physical play resulted in quite a number of free kicks.  Ten minutes into the half the Millers were able to get around the right side of the Irish defense and score on a tap-in from a cross along the endline.  The first taste of adversity for the 2018 Irish was telling.  Cathedral seemed to keep raising the intensity level as the clock ran down.  Noblesville continuingly matched the level and hit the Irish post and crossbar.  Saucerman made another diving save to keep hope alive.  With only a few minutes remaining Cathedral won a freekick from the right side about 40 yards away.  Junior Marcelle Blanchet drove the ball toward the far post where sophomore Caroline Cline headed it toward goal.  The Noblesville keeper got her hands on the ball to keep it from crossing the goal line but was challenged by a number of Irish.  As the ball was just coming off the gloves of the keeper, Senior wingback Halle McHugh leapt and headed the ball in for what would prove to be the tying goal.  The goal was the culmination of great efforts throughout the match by many players.  The match ended with the Irish earning a hard-fought draw, 1-1.  This match may well be the springboard for a highly successful season!  The performance bar has been set high.  The expectations are growing.  Now, the ladies must stay focused, train hard, continue to get better every day, and become more and more of a family.

The Irish will travel to 3A #8 Avon on Wednesday for another test.  The goal is to keep the momentum going forward off of a fantastic performance at Noblesville.

GO IRISH!