EVANSVILLE — The bar was set high for this Memorial girls soccer team. It only has one hurdle left to clear.
The No. 1 Tigers will attempt to defend their state championship against No. 7 Leo in the Class 2A final on Friday at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis. The match is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT with all championship games streamed at ihsaatv.org.
This will be the 13th appearance at the state finals for Memorial. It already owns five state championships since the IHSAA made soccer an official sport in 1994. Both of those marks rank second in state history. Yet, the Tigers have never won back-to-back state titles in girls soccer.
IHSAA soccer:How the Memorial girls advanced to another state final
Was Memorial expected to make another run? It was highly probable due to its talent level. But this team has aced every test thus far.
"It took a lot of hard work," said senior Kennedy Neighbors. "Keeping our goal in mind one game at a time. It takes a lot of believing in each other and yourself. I think this team has been doing that all season."
Let's take a look at the opponent, what this Memorial team could accomplish and some keys to the Tigers' chances.
How did Memorial, Leo get here?
Leo, a school of 968 students located northeast of Fort Wayne, is making its first state championship appearance in program history. The Lions have not surrendered a goal in six postseason games with wins over Garrett (13-0), Culver Academies (2-0), Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (4-0), Western (5-0), No. 8 Bellmont (1-0) and No. 3 Mishawaka Marian (1-0).
Eight starters returned for Leo from its regional championship team that lost just one match last season.
Memorial has been dominant in its march back to Indianapolis. No opponent has scored against the Tigers since Sept. 3. They've outscored the opposition 27-0 in the postseason: Heritage Hills (6-0), No. 17 Gibson Southern (4-0), No. 13 Silver Creek (7-0), No. 18 Washington (8-0) and No. 5 Bishop Chatard (2-0).
Players to Watch
Leo (18-4): Samantha Sanderlin, Sr., Forward, 19 goals, 7 assists; Audrey Abel, Sr., Midfield, 17 goals, 13 assists; Ella Graves, Jr., Forward, 15 goals, 15 assists; Maddie Schwalm, Fr., Midfield, 12 goals; Mallory Michmerhuizen, Jr., Goalkeeper, 0.64 GAA, 13 shutouts.
Memorial (21-0-1): Ella Hamner, Sr., Midfield, 22 goals, 16 assists (Evansville commit); Kennedy Neighbors, Sr., Midfield, 18 goals, 24 assists (Indiana commit); Avarie Zeller, Sr., Forward, 22 goals, 14 assists; Myla Browning, So., Forward, 11 goals; Lydia Bordfeld, Sr., Midfield, 5 goals, 5 assists (Southern Indiana commit).
Keys to the game for the Tigers
Soccer is a unique sport. The opportunities for set plays are limited as the pace of the game is dictated by talent and positioning. Memorial has still done its homework on an opponent it rarely, if ever, sees.
The Tigers spent this week watching film to know the potential formations and play style from Leo, the Northeast Eight Conference champions. The Lions have a balanced attack with five players netting double-digit goals and hit a groove defensively during the postseason.
For Memorial, there's no need to change its style for anyone. It has outscored the opposition 103-4 this season. If the Tigers control the tempo and possession, they'll likely control the outcome.
"People's expectations were set high for us," said junior Emily Wittmer. "I think we've handled it pretty well. We've been relaxed the whole season. (We) just need to be ready for anything the other team does. As long as we're playing relaxed and keeping it positive on the field, I think we'll come out with the results we want."
This will be the program's ninth appearance at the state finals since Angie Lensing took over in 1999. She is a perfect 4-for-4 in championship games with wins in 2008, '12, '17 and '21. A common theme she tells every team is to settle the nerves in a big environment.
Easier said than done. Memorial can point to most of this roster playing in the state championship last season. The Tigers defeated Mishawka Marian 1-0 in overtime.
"Try to play our game and not get caught up in the moment," said Lensing. "The field size is a little different than we're used to. Just relax, that's the main thing."
What can the Tigers earn with a state title?
A victory on Friday would put the Memorial program in elite company.
The Tigers have never won back-to-back state championships in girls soccer. Only six have in IHSAA tournament history — Carmel, Fort Wayne Dwenger, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Penn, Mater Dei and Noblesville. A win would also stretch its state tournament streak to 14 games, tied for the eighth-longest all-time.
Lensing, who owns 381 career victories in 24 years, has also never had a team finish a season unbeaten. Memorial has a 33-match unbeaten streak going into the state championship. Its only tie came against Guerin Catholic on September 17.
"The first thing that comes to mind is their competitive spirit," said Lensing. "They don't know when not to compete. That's their nature. These seniors have been playing together for a long time. They understand having the opportunity to play one more game together is something they're very grateful for."
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
