INDIANAPOLIS – Third time’s the charm for the top-ranked Mishawaka Marian Knights at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Appearing in their third Class 2A IHSAA girls soccer state finals since winning their lone Class 1A title in 2012, the Knights (15-4-2) broke through with a 3-0 shutout win over No. 6 Park Tudor (15-6-3) on the campus of IU Indianapolis.
In 2021, Mishawaka Marian lost in the 2A state finals in an overtime heartbreaker, 1-0, to Evansville Memorial. Last year, the Knights, once again, felt the sting of defeat in a penalty-kick shootout (4-1) with Lawrenceburg.
This time, Mishawaka Marian turned their fifth state finals appearance – twice in Class 1A (2011, 2012) – into a second state championship.
“I look at it as a totally different year. Different group of players, different team we’re playing, and it’s just exciting for this group to achieve their goal that they put so much time in from the summer to be the best version of ourselves,” Mishawaka Marian coach Henry Vu said. “We played a great game today against a good team, and our defense and our goalies, all credit to them for posting a shutout.”
The offense was supplied by two goals from junior Milana Micola and a second-half goal from freshman Aubrey Bradley.
Micola put the Knights in control with a pair of first-half goals in the 10th minute and later in the 37th.
Micola entered the state finals with seven goals on the season and was one of five starters from Mishawaka Marian’s 16-4-2 state runner-up squad in 2024.
“I’m just so happy for us as a whole. We worked so hard, so hard. We were grinding every single day in the summer,” Micola said. “I thought the first goal kind of relaxed us a little bit more. I’m just very thankful to my teammates, like, to have trust in me, giving me the ball, and then having the trust that I can do what I need to do.”
Park Tudor carried four double-digit goal scorers into their first state finals appearance since 2023 and fifth in seven years.
The three-time state champion Panthers logged 18 shots and seven shots on goal against Mishawaka Marian, but despite several attempts, including a handful for free kick opportunities near or around the box, they couldn’t convert.
“It’s hard when you have the greater chances, the greater opportunities. I think around four shots (on goal) in the game, but they finished on those chances, and we unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net today,” Park Tudor coach Abbie Markey said.
“Our goal was shut down (Kendall Bradley). She’s one of the most dangerous attackers in the state. I put my best defender on her, and we shut her down. We wanted them to beat us in another way, and again, they found those options.”
Mishawaka Marian goalkeeper Dreama Root had seven saves, increasing her season total to 60 in 14 matches. The shutout was her ninth.
“We have great defenders, a great back line and we have two great keepers,” Vu said. “We’ve been tested against the best teams in the state, against the Carmels, the Zionsvilles, the Carrolls, the Homesteads, Penns, so we’re battle-tested.”
The Knights needed to be adaptable to find their offense, as Park Tudor focused on minimizing leading goal scorer Kendall Bradley, a junior, who amassed 19 goals this year.
“Everyone sacrificed for each other, and Kendall was like, ‘Yeah, they really man-marked me.’ So, we moved her wide for a bit and that spread them out. She sacrificed herself,” Vu said. “We really created a little bit in the midfield and in the forward line right there from it. It’s all about working together and all working for the common goal of winning a state championship, and we accomplished that goal.”
The Knights recorded nine shots and five on goal with Micola scoring on both of her attempts.
Park Tudor’s top scorer Sydney Shattuck (25 goals) fired seven shots and two shots on goal overall, while the Panthers out shot the Knights 11-4 in the second half.
But the Knights weren’t surrendering their lead or a chance to win their first state title in three consecutive attempts.
“I think it drove us in a lot of ways, just winning every ball, the 50-50s, the balls in the air, everything. It motivated us to push it 110 percent,” Micola said. “I think it shows how much we really wanted it. The build up to that goal showed how much we’re connected as a team.”
Bradley’s finishing goal in the 62nd minute unfolded off a putback rebound shot, as the Knights crashed the box and battled with Park Tudor goalkeeper Anna Mattes.
Mattes finished with two saves.
“We were really able to build and play, and when we had opportunities, we got those two great finishes from Milana, and then we got a junkyard dog type of a goal, like a rebound, and Aubrey was able to get that finish,” Vu said. “It’s such a blessing, and it’s so rewarding for the players. It’s just a cherry on top of a great pie of a season.”
Park Tudor’s Wallace named Wynns Mental Attitude Award recipient
Following the match, Issy Wallace of Park Tudor School was named the recipient of the Theresia Wynns Mental Attitude Award.
Issy is an AP Scholar and has earned Academic All-District, Academic All-Conference, and Academic All-State honors for her work in the classroom. She serves as the Founder and President of Park Tudor’s Winter Sports Club. She’s a member of Park Tudor’s Women’s Empowerment Association, Young Republicans, and Public Health Club. She’s also an Eagle Scout! Issy has served as Team Captain for Park Tudor Girls Soccer and Girls Lacrosse.
The daughter of Shawn and Cynthia Wallace of Indianapolis, Indiana, Issy intends to study Engineering, but is currently undecided on her college choice.
The award is annually presented to a senior, who is nominated by her principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability during her four years of high school. The award is named in honor of Theresia Wynns, who served as an IHSAA assistant commissioner from 1997-2012 and administered the sports of girls and boys soccer as well as the licensing of over 8,000 officials in the state of Indiana.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a proud corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the general scholarship fund at Park Tudor School in the name of Issy Wallace.
IHSAA’s Champion of Education Award, presented by Ivy Tech Community College
This award recognizes teachers and faculty who go above and beyond to challenge students to reach their full potential. As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on two honorees in this year’s class. On behalf of Ivy Tech Community College, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Champion of Education Award, the IHSAA will award $250 to the classroom of each recipient.
Johnathan Watson teaches English at Marian High School and serves as school photographer. Jon is always wearing a smile and showing a willingness to engage with students and colleagues on virtually any topic. He is a gifted photographer who is blessed with great creativity, a skilled teacher who blends content with engaging delivery strategies, and a valued member of the Marian family!
Eric Petenbrink teaches World Civilization and US History at Park Tudor School. A proud supporter of all things Park Tudor, Eric can often be found cheering at athletic events, applauding at musical performances, or enjoying student choir concerts. His unwavering commitment to showing up for students, in and out of the classroom, reflects his genuine care and dedication to helping every student feel valued, encouraged, and supported!