The 3A #1 Noblesville Millers faced off against cross-town rival 2A #1 Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles Thursday night. The Millers were ready to get down to work and find the back of the net coming off of a 0-0 tie against Fishers on Tuesday.
The first Miller goal came in the 28th minute. Brayden Doll beat a defender to send a cross to Palmer Ault. Ault headed the ball far post to put the Millers up 1-0. The Millers got on the board again in the 40th minute. Jackson Montgomery intercepted a Golden Eagles pass, and played a one-touch pass into Ault. Ault played another one touch pass that slotted Spencer Holland through on goal. Holland finished with a toe poke underneath a sliding keeper.
The Millers expanded their lead to 3-0 in the 44th minute on a goal from Ault. Noah Bernot worked the ball down into the corner and then sent a cross towards the top of the box. Ault brought the ball down, juked a defender, and slid a shot near post. The next Miller goal of the night came after Ault dribbled to outside the 18. He sent a pass to Doll, who dribbled toward the end line and sent a cross back to the six. Ault controlled and sent a pass to Kyle Goad at the penalty spot, who then buried the shot far post. The final Miller goal of the night came after Goad sent Bernot out wide on the left flank. Bernot then sent a cross in to Holland, who brought the ball down and got a shot past the keeper as he came out. The Golden Eagles got on the board with a goal in the 56th minute. It is only the second goal given up by the Miller defense this season.
The man of the match and winner of the championship belt was Bernot. When asked his thoughts on the game, he said, “It feels great to get the win. It was a good stepping stone for moving forward, especially after our tie with Fishers. It gives us confidence as we move forward.”
The Millers come back from the holiday weekend with a home game Tuesday vs Westfield. They then travel to Fort Wayne on Saturday for a neutral-site game against top ranked St. Ignatius (Ohio).