The Lady Cadets soccer team (7-5-1) traveled back to Southmont High School last night for their second round game in Sectional 41 but this time to play the Greencastle Lady Tiger Cubs (13-3). The Cadets lost to the Lady Tiger Cubs 3-1 a month ago and are looking forward to the rematch with hopefully a better outcome. But for the Tiger Cubs, the Cadets defeated them in the Sectional championship game last season and this Sectional rematch game has been circled on the calendar for weeks as payback. Most people following the Sectional 41 games knew the winner of the Greencastle and Cascade game would be the favorite in Saturday’s championship game. When the teams did meet back at the start of September, the Tiger Cubs played at a level of intensity that dominated the Cadets. The Cadets let the Tiger Cubs pass freely across the field and hold possession of the soccer ball for over 75% of the match. For last night’s game, the Cadets jumped out to a 1-0 lead from an amazing direct kick shot from Anna Burns. The Cadets were pushing the ball up the field quickly at the start of the game and the Tiger Cubs fouled the Cadets allowing Anna Burns to line up and strike a solid 30 yard goal shot. Despite a four man Greencastle wall, Anna lofted up a perfect ball that lightly grazed the side of the goal post and slid into the back of the net. This 1-0 lead with 38:29 in the first half helped the Lady Cadets take a deep breath and gain some confidence against the aggressive Tiger Cubs. The Cadets held their defensive position and shape for most of the rest of the first half and only gave up a goal to Greencastle when the ball redirected off of a Cascade player just outside of the outstretched hands of the Cadet goalie Zoey Wyneken. The first half ended with a score of 1-1 and with both the Cadets and Lady Tigers Cubs pleased that they were in the game. The second half of the game turned quickly in favor of the Tiger Cubs when they were able to slide another amazing shot into the goal. This second goal at 37:25 changed the pace of the game for the Tiger Cubs. This lofted second goal crossed just under the crossbar and set off an eruption of emotions for Greencastle fans. The Cadets tried to move the ball up the field and regain some offensive composure. But with a 2-1 lead for Greencastle, they could just double team the best offensive players for the Cadets and that’s just what happened. Once the Cadets were able to move some players around the field to create new attacking patterns, a third goal was scored from an amazing angle that just put the game out of touch for the Cadets. The last 20:00 of the game were filled with substitutions, dominant passing play from Greencastle, and the Cadets trying to hold back the tears after giving the best effort they could. The game ended with a final score of Greencastle: 4 and the Lady Cadets: 1. The 4-1 loss for the Lady Cadets ends their 2023-2024 season. The team’s final record stands at 7-6-1 and last night’s game was the last for 2024 graduates Creedance Chittenden, Ainsley Engel, Katie Guetig, Vayla Mansfield, and Grace Trump. This graduating class ended their career with two IHSAA Sectional titles (2021 and 2022) and one Indiana Crossroads Conference title (2021). The Lady Tiger Cubs (14-3-1) move onto the championship game against the other semifinal winner the North Putnam Lady Cougars (5-10-1). The Tiger Cubs and Cougars met during the regular season and Greencastle won 5-0. Game Summary Cascade 1 0 1 Greencastle 1 3 4 Goals/Assists: 1H 38:29 Anna Burns (11)