Daily Reporter staff reports
GREENFIELD — The day’s events at Greenfield-Central High School included four competitive girls soccer matches, but the purpose behind the fourth annual Kickin’ Cancer Tournament easily overshadowed the games Saturday.
Honoring family and friends currently battling cancer and those that have passed, including beloved Greenfield resident Mindy Dunn, The Cougars paid tribute en route to winning the tournament in a two-game sweep.
The host Cougars defeated North Knox 10-0 in the first round before winning 2-0 in the final against Lawrence Central.
The tournament first began in 2013 with the assistance of Greenfield-Central head coach Erin Clark and Courtney Dunn, a former Cougars player. After the passing of Dunn’s mother, Mindy, 44, who died of cancer Nov. 4, 2013, the event became an annual tradition.
Mindy Dunn helped launch the USF Real Soccer Club for local youth players in the area and was well respected in the community for her dedication to the sport.
Shortly after her mother’s passing, Courtney approached Clark about hosting a tournament, which honors those who have passed, survived or are fighting the disease. All proceeds from the event go to the American Cancer Association.
“Although the day was more about helping raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society, the Cougars put together a solid game to win the championship,” Clark commented. “Again, it was nice to see the entire team play minutes and be on the field during this great experience. After honoring those affected by cancer before the game, especially Mindy Dunn, the Cougars got to work.”
In the championship, Anne Marie DeKeyser scored both goals for the Cougars, while Kayla Enochs and Riley Sexton both notched their second assists on the day. Enochs also earned the shutout, allowing zero goals in the tournament.
The Cougars won the first match with seven goals tallied in the first half and three more in the second.
Maddie Trapp recorded a hat trick and an assist, while DeKeyser and Schyler Slunaker each had two goals. Sexton, Lucy Brand and Macy Huber had one goal apiece.
Eight different players registered assists, with DeKeyser and Brand posting two each. Alex Rupley, Sexton, Kennedy Trapp, and Chynna Ramsey all had assists. Brand and Enochs shared the shutout effort in goal.
Dragons keep winning streak going
The unbeaten New Palestine girls soccer team won a thriller 3-2 on Saturday morning against Franklin Central.
Jordan Reid scored the go-ahead goal for the Dragons with 12 minutes left in regulation after a pair of ties kept the game’s outcome in question.
Edin Hurst tied the game at 1-1 with her first varsity goal. Her shot deflected off a defender and into the net in the first half. She later helped nailed down the win with a slick defensive save on the goal line in the closing minutes.
The Dragons trailed 2-1 early in the second half before Olivia Lambdin lined a goal under the crossbar to tie the match.
“It was a great team effort,” New Palestine head coach Gina Fannin remarked.
The Dragons are now 7-0 on the year and face rival Mt. Vernon on Wednesday.
Cross country
Cougars run season-bests in Columbus
The Greenfield-Central girls cross-country team competed in the Columbus North Classic on Saturday and placed 11th overall.
All seven competitors for the Cougars ran season-best times, led by Audrey Brinkruff, who placed 14th. She was followed by Sarah Muckerheide in 61st, Lindsey Pope in 79th, Darian Gossett in 80th, Brenna Ditto in 88th, Dusti Chestnut in 91st, and Lucy Conner in 103rd.
Cougars boys run strong at invite
The Greenfield-Central boys cross-country team had 11 of 13 runners run personal bests at Columbus North on Saturday.
Leading the pack was Conner Kinnaman with a 10th overall performance in a time of 16:33. Parker Niemeier followed with a 14th-place finish.
Dragons show well at Marion Invite
The New Palestine boys cross-country team finished second in the Purple Division at the Marion Invitational on Saturday.
The girls team placed eighth out of 16 teams in the Purple Division with 166 places.
The boys tallied 81 places as West Noble won with 40. Fort Wayne Dwenger was third at 97, and Muncie Central took fourth with 164.
The Dragons had four runners in the top 20, led by Kyler Harrison in fourth at 16:38.0. Drew Austin was 11th in 17:01.5, Devon Whitaker was 16th at 17:14.3 and Josh Collins was 17th in 17:15.0. Quinn Dobbins took 36th in 17:53.7.
Brenna Shaw paced the Dragons with a 10th-place run in 20:00.2. Kendall Mann was 14th (20:16.9), Haley Rickey was 27th (21:01.2), Krystyn Wickline was 55th, and Sophia Taylor was 62nd.
Boys soccer
Cougars lose close match against Castle
The Greenfield-Central boys soccer team ended its INKY Challenge tournament appearance Saturday, falling to Castle in a close match 2-1.
The Cougars’ lone goal went to Tyler Murphy and the assist was credited to Sean Julian. The goal tied the game 1-1 before Castle slipped past the injured Cougars with a second-half go-ahead score.
Greenfield-Central is now 5-2 on the season.
Road warrior Cougars win on Friday
The Greenfield-Central boys soccer team traveled to Evansville for the INKY Challenge on Friday night to play William Henry Harrison and won in a shutout 3-0.
The Cougars scored all three goals in the second half. Pablo Aguinaga recorded the first goal with the assist going to Caleb Mundell. Aguinaga assisted Zack Bell to put Greenfield-Central ahead 2-0.
Mundell scored the final goal with an assist from Trevor Sawyer.
Boys tennis
Dragons fall to Woodmen
The New Palestine boys tennis team opened their own invitational Saturday with a 5-0 sweep of University. In the Dragons’ final match, they just fell short against Greenwood 3-2.
Against University, Carson Gavin won at No. 3 singles, Matthew True won at No. 1 singles, and the No. 1 doubles tandem of Colby Wagoner and Steven Gutzwiller prevailed. Ben Blachly captured his No. 2 singles match as well.
Gavin and the Dragons’ No. 2 doubles team won their matches against Greenwood before the visiting Woodmen held off the Dragons to win.
