The difference between a win and a loss can be a single mistake, and it was clear for most of the first half that the No. 14 Center Grove girls soccer team was determined to not make one.
Even on the turf of Seymour High School’s soccer fields, passes skipped chaotically off the ground, and possession was uneven at best, as they attempted to survive against No. 7 Castle in the regional championship.
But then, with one pass, the Trojans’ survival turned into a threat. With a through ball played to freshman Mia Marlin, Center Grove looked… dangerous. As a Castle defender charged toward Marlin, sophomore Aubrie LeMasters drifted off, and as Marlin crossed the ball in, all LeMasters had to do was guide the ball into the goal.
“I thought she was going to shoot it, so I just made that run and kind of stood there,” LeMasters said. “Then, she passed it to me. I’d missed the goal before, so I was really scared I was going to miss it again because I had gotten the same pass before. The defender let me go, and I looked up and was able to have time to pick my head up and was able to play it into the goal.”
The goal was the only one scored in a 1-0 win against the Knights and captured Center Grove’s second regional title in three years. However, before the game, the team had to battle nerves that lasted through the start of the game, with their 1-0 loss against Castle in the regular season still in their memory.
“I think the first few minutes against any team, especially in a high stakes game, can be pretty hectic with both teams just trying to feel each other out,” senior Lauren Hopper said. “Once the game starts, we work on establishing a rhythm through communication and quick adjustments. It just takes one good moment for us to take the momentum and gain the advantage in a game. We try [to] create that moment as quickly as possible and capitalize on it.”
Though one defined by moments, this season has also been a chance for redemption for returning members after the team’s early exit in the sectional against Bloomington South last season.
“I feel like our bond is better,” senior Addy Wiesmann said. “We have a better drive to win. I’m a senior now, and a lot of the girls I’ve been playing with since I was like 8 are all seniors, so these last couple games are our last ever, because at least half of us aren’t playing in college. It matters more to us than sophomore year when we had two more years left to go.”
At the beginning of the season, the team was unranked, but after racking up 15 wins in the regular and postseason combined, confidence has been high during practice and games.
“I feel like last year we thought we were going to be super good, coming out of semi-state and all that,” Wiesman said. “ We ended up losing a lot of games and losing in the first round of sectionals. I feel like coming in this year, we knew we had to put in the work and not just have the talent on our team. Throughout the season, we’ve gotten wins, so that’s built up our confidence and prepared us for the tournaments.”
The team’s ability to improve in short amounts of time was on display in their win against Castle, as the 1-0 scoreline did not account for the numerous chances the Trojans created, including LeMasters’ first goal that was ruled offside, and senior Brooklyn Brown’s attempts at goal saved by the keeper. However, even with the chances they created, the Trojans will look to upgrade their finishing ability against tougher competition.
“Every single shot is so important,” Wiesmann said. “If you take another touch, it has a big impact on the game in general. Finishing is super important because it’s one finish and that’s the game. That type of stuff is so important because if you don’t emphasize that, then it could be PKs at the end of the game, and you can lose or win.”
Now facing a semi-state clash against No. 12 East Central, the team will have to switch their tactical approach against a more physical opponent on a narrower Martinsville field. East Central beat Center Grove 1-0 in the first game of the season.
“To play well against a physical team like East Central, we’re focused on maintaining our composure and executing our game plan,” Hopper said. “Personally, I prioritize winning 50/50 [balls] and connecting passes. As a team, we emphasize communication, support on defense and our mentality to counter their physicality. Overall, our objective is always to keep a clean sheet and we have one of the best teams defensively in the state. As long as we don’t give up any goals, we put ourselves in a good position to win.”
Whether they give up goals or not, the Trojans have shown that their mistakes have not defined them.
A slip in the backline against East Central in the season-opening game led to a 1-0 could have spelled the start of a losing streak, but the Trojans rebounded with seven straight wins, only allowing two goals.
Last week, a rough 15 minutes against Castle that could have turned into postseason elimination instead was marked by an incisive goal that won them a regional championship.
Yes, the Trojans aren’t perfect, and they might make mistakes. But they aren’t going down without a fight.
