Mater Dei Repeats as Girls State Soccer Champion
In (almost) a carbon copy of the 2017 Class 1-A girls final, Evansville Mater Dei repeated as state champions with a 1-0 victory over previously-unbeaten Wheeler.
Maddie Folz’s goal in the 56th minute gave the Wildcats the only score they would need to finish off their fourth appearance in the state finals in the last five seasons. A year ago, coach Amy Weber’s squad also took a 1-0 victory over Wheeler – although that title game needed overtime to settle the matter.
The teams played even during the first 40 minutes before Folz picked up a pass from Ellsa Bonnell and beat Wheeler keeper Alaina Hill for what proved to be the game winner.
Sabrina Henderson faced nine Wheeler shots – seven in the second half to record the shutout for the Wildcats, who finish 16-4-1. Hill had five saves off of 10 shots for the Bearcats.
Coach Bryan Wheeler’s Bearcats finish 22-1 this season and 43-2 over the past two season with both losses coming to Mater Dei in the state title game.
Lauren Putz of Wheeler earns Mental Attitude Award
Lauren Putz of Wheeler High School was named the winner of the Mental Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Girls Class A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.