The Noblesville Millers played the Columbia City Eagles Thursday night in the regional semi-final.

The game started with the Millers dominating possession until 5 minutes in when a lightning delay was called. After the 30-minute waiting period, the Millers retook the field and continued to possess the ball for the majority of the first half.

Despite several shots on goal, the Millers struggled to convert scoring opportunities into goals until the 33rd minute when Jake Johns scored a beautiful left-footed strike just inside the 18 off of an assist from Palmer Ault. The Millers headed into half-time 1-0.

The Millers came out of halftime fired up and ready to go. Two minutes into the half, Johns scored his second goal of the night off of a rebound let up by the Eagles’ keeper. Two minutes later, a Jake Johns’ pass connected with Ault at the top of the 18. Ault then eluded three Columbia City players and hit a left-footed strike that went between the keeper’s legs to put the Millers up 3-0. Two minutes after that, Ault drew a foul in the box to earn a penalty kick. Senior defender Drew Cochran stepped in to take the PK and buried it far left to put the Millers up 4-0.

The Millers scored their fifth and final goal of the night in the 59th minute after Ault connected another pass for a Johns goal. Johns did a great job of keeping the Eagles’ defender on his right hip as he once again hit a left-footed strike low to the far post. The goal was Johns’ third goal of the evening.

The Miller defense remained consistent throughout the night, allowing only 1 shot on goal. The lone shot on target was a fantastic strike, but senior goalkeeper Gabe Ingle did well to deflect the knuckling shot away from target.

The man of the match and winner of the championship belt was Johns. After the game, he said, “It was a great night to be out here with everyone. It’s a lot of fun to play together and get the win. We’re excited and ready to go for Saturday– and to get another win. Hat trick baby!”

The Millers advance to the regional final, Saturday at 2pm in Kokomo. The Millers will take on Fort Wayne Northrop.