November 2, 2019

Zionsville Claims State Title After Settling for Runner-Up Finish in 2018

Two goals in the 62nd minute and an insurance tally in the 78th minute finally completed the journey to a state championship for No. 1-ranked Zionsville.

The Eagles of coach Rob Jordan lost in overtime of the Class 3-A boys state title game in 2018, but reached the mountain top this time with a 3-1 victory over Lake Central.

The contest featured the only unranked team (LC) in any of the state title games (boys or girls) against the only unbeaten and untied team (boys or girls) entering the state finals.

Still, well into the second half, Lake Central held strong by forging a scoreless tie at halftime despite being outshot, 10-2, to that point. The Indians broke through in the 54th minute when Jakob Noldin scored on an assist from Tre Adams.

The Eagles got even early in the 62nd minute when Chris Freeman booted in an unassisted goal into the top right-hand corner of the LC net. Just seconds later, Alex Carr netted the eventual game-winner on a header from eight yards out. Ben Weidner earned the assist.

Weidner then added an insurance goal in the 78th minute as Zionsville finished with a 23-3 advantage in shots.

The win makes Zionsville the first boys team to finish with a perfect record (21-0) since Carmel in 2006.

Coach Jereme Rainwater’s Indians finish 12-6-3.

Bryce Gross of Lake Central earns C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award
Bryce Gross of Lake Central High School was named the winner of the C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Boys Class 3A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The Indians’ centerback has only allowed 1.1 goals per game during the season. Bryce was ISCA Top Team Player, 2017 DAC Champion, and Presidents Cup Champion. He is ranked in the top 5% of his class. Gross has volunteered for a number of different projects like Striped Stevens Park Soccer Fields, Lake Central's Freshman Rush, Protsman Elementary Art Fair, Lake Central Soccer Camps, and Lake Central's Veteran's Day Program. Bryce has also been involved with the Debate Club, History Club, Class Cabinet, Student Council, Business Professionals of America, and Academic Letterwinners.

The son of Ted and Karen Gross of Dyer, Bryce plans on attending Indiana University of Bloomington to study Management and Political Science.

The IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, will award a scholarship for $1,000 to Lake Central High School in the name of Bryce Gross.  Since 1989, almost $900,000 in college scholarships has been presented to deserving high school students in Indiana.