<\/p>\n
By RICHARD TORRES<\/p>\n
For The Reporter<\/p>\n
INDIANAPOLIS \u2013 Fourteen years was long enough.<\/p>\n
For the first time in program history, the Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer program achieved its \u201cultimate goal,\u201d and it took one late-clutch goal Saturday, Nov. 1 during the IHSAA state finals to finish the job.<\/p>\n
Making their first state finals appearance since 2011, the top-ranked Class 3A Royals (22-0-1) found an opportunity in the 75th<\/sup>\u00a0minute against third-ranked Carmel (19-3-1) at Michael A. Carroll Stadium, and senior forward Riley Boyd didn\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n With HSE caught in a scoreless tie during its backyard brawl against county rival Carmel, a clearing miscue by Greyhound goalkeeper Gwyneth Provost just outside the penalty area that struck a defender supplied Boyd with a shot at state-championship immortality.<\/p>\n As the ball bounced free, and even deeper into the penalty area, both Boyd and Provost sprinted to possess, but a right-footed strike pushed the ball more than 15 yards and slowly into the back of the net.<\/p>\n \u201cI was nervous because I had the wide-open goal, and it\u2019s not like I hesitated, but I was a little slow to kick it. I thought she was going to get it,\u201d Boyd said. \u201cShe tried diving for it, and luckily, it went right past here and just trickled into the goal.\u201d<\/p>\n As Boyd raised her arms in celebration with 5:36 remaining, the weight of the Royals\u2019 past steadily lifted following 12 years of sectional setbacks \u2013 primarily against archrival Noblesville \u2013 and season upon season of woulda, coulda, shoulda.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was just frustration that got to us, and we knew we were the team to get this done, and we wanted it more than anything,\u201d Boyd said. \u201cI think the motivation we kept on the field and off the field, through practice and throughout school, we just kept it going.\u201d<\/p>\n Carmel finished as runner-up at state. It was the 17th time the Greyhounds have reached a state championship game. (Julie Brown)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HSE reached the 2A semi-state in 2012 with a chance at a repeat state finals berth, but the Royals fell short after losing to Carmel, 1-0, in the previous 2A state championship game.<\/p>\n This time, the Royals prevailed, winning their ninth straight game and first-ever state title while handing the Greyhounds their fourth consecutive state finals loss \u2013 each by one goal.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a misplayed ball. No one\u2019s fault. Shouldn\u2019t have happened, but it happens,\u201d Carmel coach John Simmonds said. \u201cWe could have finished some chances and not had to worry about that costing us the game, so it\u2019s on us, and we\u2019ll accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royals locked in to protect their lead by recording their 18th<\/sup>\u00a0shutout victory and junior goalkeeper Hannah Dodge\u2019s 16th<\/sup>\u00a0clean sheet of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing we talk about is next five, which is keeping up the tempo for the next five minutes,\u201d HSE senior Sloane May said. \u201cJust putting in that last effort and every ounce of effort in every scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n Dodge provided the effort with six saves, specifically in the 58th<\/sup>\u00a0minute, as Carmel attacked with nine of their 12 shots in the second half.<\/p>\n Carmel senior Adalyn Cameron launched one of her four shots on goal at Dodge, who reacted with a kick save to maintain the scoreless tie.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was kind of unreal. I just, honestly, kicked my leg out for the best. When it\u2019s that close, you just kind of do what you can and hope that you make the save,\u201d Dodge said. \u201cI wonder how I do that sometimes? Yeah, go back and watch it, put it in my highlight reel.\u201d<\/p>\n HSE fired six shots each period and five shots on goal, while both teams nearly split possession throughout the tug-of-war rematch.<\/p>\n On Aug. 16, the Royals won 3-1 over the Greyhounds. At the state finals, HSE entered the match ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps. Carmel was ranked third in the nation.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew that Carmel had improved since we had seen them,\u201d HSE coach Greg Davidson said. \u201cBut I know our girls, the environment did not overwhelm them. They came to play.\u201d<\/p>\n The team\u2019s traditional pregame brunch mentally kept the HSE players loose. For Davidson, 29 years of frustration were quelled by his support network.<\/p>\n Once Davidson held the championship trophy, gratitude overcame the 30-year coaching veteran, who collected his first-career state title.<\/p>\n \u201cI just thank God for giving me the energy and the mindset and the love of the game to keep going on. I thank my family for continuing to support me,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cYou get close in 2011 \u2026 but I truly believe that we were the best team in the state this year.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n