The Noblesville boys soccer team clinched the Hoosier Crossroads Conference championship Wednesday, beating Franklin Central 5-1 in a rainy game at Beaver Materials Field. It’s the third HCC title in four years for the Millers. (Richie Hall)

POSTED BY: RICHIE HALL SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

The REPORTER

The Noblesville boys soccer team is the Hoosier Crossroads Conference champion once again.

The Class 3A No. 1-ranked Millers clinched their third HCC title in four years by beating Franklin Central 5-1 on a rainy Wednesday evening at Beaver Materials Field. Noblesville finished conference play with a 5-0-2 record.

Ashton Craig scored two goals for the Millers, with Ben Hewitt, Sam Holland and Quinn Johnston all scoring one. Noblesville coach Ken Dollaske said that the team was able to get several junior varsity players that will be listed on the sectional roster some playing time in the game, a necessity since the sectional tournament begins on Monday.

The Millers also finished their regular season with this game. Noblesville went 11-0-5; Dollaske said his team has a “bend-not-break mentality, where at the end of the game, we’re either winning or at least we’re not down on the scoreboard.”

The Millers will host Sectional 8 this year, and of course enter as the two-time defending state champions. Noblesville plays Muncie Central in a Monday first-round game. Dollaske said his seniors on the team understand the pressure that exists in tournament play.

“They know us being down in a playoff game and not losing our composure and being able to come from 3-1 down like we did against Carroll last year,” said Dollaske. Noblesville trailed the Fort Wayne team by that margin in the regional championship game, but came back to tie the contest, then win on penalty kicks.

“So, having that experience is super important, and hopefully it makes our third run successful,” said Dollaske.