Five Southwestern Indiana girls soccer teams win IHSAA sectional championships

EVANSVILLE — Memorial coach Angie Lensing never dared to look past this game.

That mindset was built across a Hall of Fame career full of peaks and valleys. This felt different. Too much respect for an opponent who beat her program in August. The postseason would be over immediately for the top-ranked team in Indiana if the door was cracked open ever slightly.

Also in deep supply? A faith in her team to play to its potential in a championship environment.

2026 Evansville-area IHSAA girls soccer sectional scores, schedule

No. 1 Memorial defeated No. 5 Mater Dei 3-0 to win the Class 2A sectional title on Saturday at Traylor Family Stadium. This performance from the Tigers was worthy of a postseason contender. Momentous goals? Check. A career-best effort between the posts? Check.

“They have stayed laser focused on what they want to do,” Lensing said. “They are very hard working. They have remained confident but not cocky. We’ve been trying to correct mistakes as we go. They do a great job of that.”

A sixth sectional title in seven years wasn’t won in a singular moment. Memorial set a definitive tone early and played at a consistent level throughout this championship. The exact opposite of why the Tigers left Moutoux Park on Aug. 25 with their first loss to the Wildcats in a decade.

All-State forward Avery Slade buried two goals, the first coming within 10 mintues of the opening whistle on an assist from Hope Happe, to up her team-best total to 32. Her second strike was a left-footed slot to the far post with five minutes remaining. Icing on the cake in the larger picture.

Perhaps the best performance belonged to goalkeeper Faith Voelkel. The sophomore delivered her finest effort of the season with 14 saves and s shutout on the scoreboard. Voelkel deflected a dangerous free kick from the top of the D in the second half and routinely punched balls out of the air. Memorial (16-2-1) hasn’t allowed a goal since Sept. 25.

“Her best game all year by far,” Lensing said. “She looked so strong. I don’t know how many balls she (punched away). Those balls don’t get punched, and that’s a free look on the goal.”

Perhaps the finest moment, both for team and individual, came elsewhere. The champion was still undetermined with Memorial holding a 1-0 lead and 27 minutes remaining. Nerves quickly subsided as Sophie Blankenberger floated a cross from the right wing to Caringtyn Sturgeon. The senior headed the ball into the right side for a 2-0 advantage.

That goal provided enough cushion before Slade’s second with five minutes remaining. It was also an important moment for Sturgeon. The Northwestern State commit dealt with numerous injuries the last two years: a knee injury, a fractured clavicle, an anterior talofibular ligament tear and a concussion. If someone like Sturgeon can provide secondary scoring support, Memorial’s odds of an extended run through October increase from this point.

The Tigers now have four double-digit goal scorers: Slade, Happe, Sturgeon and Brynna Alpers.

“It felt so good to feel like I’m finally back,” Sturgeon said. “Being able to score a goal like that reminded me who I am as a player. Sophie’s cross was beautiful. It was literally on a silver platter for me. I don’t think I’ve ever shaken so much from excitement.”

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This group was previously close to breaking through. Memorial lost to Castle on penalty kicks in the 3A sectional two years ago. The Tigers reached the regional championship last year before injuries finally took their toll on the lineup. Memorial is now the unquestioned Class 2A favorite in Southern Indiana.

But the only game that matters next is the regional semifinal against Heritage Hills on Wednesday.

“We just need to keep our energy that we have,” Sturgeon said. “We have such good chemistry. The sisterhood is so important. Moving forward, I think we have what it takes.”

John Heeger talked all season about overcoming challenges. This scenario probably didn’t come up.

Down a player for the end of regulation and overtime. Penalty kicks in the rain against a bitter rival. One wrong step extends the Huskies’ sectional title drought to nearly a decade. What transpired proved this program was ready for the next step.

No. 10 North defeated Castle 3-2 in penalty kicks to win its first Class 3A sectional title in eight years. The Huskies had opportunities in the past to reach the regional. Perhaps it was fitting that finally happened against an opponent who routinely had their number.

“It’s our mindset,” Heeger said. “They have put in so much work. We weren’t expecting to go down one for like 20-25 minutes. It’s really tough to do. It was just awesome.”

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The Huskies (16-3-1) landed the first blow when Kayla Delph scored with 37 minutes remaining. Everything pointed to a North victory in regulation until the junior forward was called for her second yellow card — the result was being a player down. Castle (11-6) found the equalizier when Avery Tedford poked the ball between the keeper’s legs with 2:37 left.

North played on its heels across the end of regulation and the entirety of overtime. Only allowed the one goal.

“They didn’t blink,” Heeger said. “They just held firm. Castle is a good program. They had played really well lately.”

The final piece of the victory came in penalty kicks. The sideline hoped for at least one stop from keeper Kaylynn Ricketts. The junior saved three shots. Molly Kennedy buried the winner to send North to the regional semifinal against Floyd Central (13-5-1). That matchup comes with the challenge of playing without leading scorer Delph, who must sit because of the red card.

But a fairly young roster (only three seniors) took a giant step forward on Saturday.

“We really thought this would be a group that could do it,” Heeger said. “The experience they got over the last couple of years — we’ve had some ups and downs, especially in the sectional. For them to pull this out is awesome.”

Class 2A: No. 15 Heritage Hills defeated No. 17 Washington in penalty kicks to earn its first sectional title since 2020. The Patriots (17-2) defeated the Hatchets 4-2 in penalties following a 2-2 tie after 94 minutes.

Class 1A: No. 15 White River Valley defeated Northeast Dubois 2-1 to earn its second straight sectional title. Makenna LaFever scored the go-ahead goal with 25 minutes remaining.

Class 1A: South Knox defeated Pike Central 1-0 to earn its first sectional title since 2023. The Spartans (11-4-2) host White River Valley in the regional semifinal.

Class 1A: No. 3 Forest Park defeated No. 20 South Spencer 6-1 to earn its third straight sectional title. The Rangers (16-2-1) host No. 4 Providence in the regional semifinal.

Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Five Southwestern Indiana girls soccer teams win IHSAA sectional championships