The IHSAA boys soccer sectionals began Oct. 6 and concluded Saturday. IndyStar is honoring Central Indiana’s top players who led their teams to a sectional title with exceptional play.
Cast your vote for player of sectionals (Oct. 6-11) in the poll at the bottom of the article. Voting closes Friday at noon!
Here are the best performers from last week.
Alejandro Calzada-Cano, Scecina
The senior forward opened sectionals with a hat trick and an assist in Scecina’s 10-0 win over Riverside. Calzada-Cano continued his exceptional play with a four-assist performance in the Crusaders’ 10-0 sectional final victory against Purdue Poly.
Christian Zermeno, Guerin Catholic
The senior midfielder was man-marked and double-teamed for the entirety of Guerin’s sectional final matchup against Park Tudor. He still managed to record a goal and an assist in the Golden Eagles’ 3-2 win. Zermeno scored in Guerin’s 7-0 first-round victory over West Lafayette and 12-0 semifinal win against Western Boone. Zermeno also tallied six assists against Boone.
Corbin Carver, Whiteland
The sophomore goalkeeper guided the Warriors to their first sectional title in program history. Carver had 20 saves, including three penalty saves, two shutouts and allowed only two goals. Whiteland upset Center Grove 3-2 on Saturday to win sectionals. The Trojans had 30 shots, and Carver made 12 saves.
Jeyson Corea-Pinto, Christel House
The junior midfielder had two goals in the Eagles’ 3-0 win over Providence Cristo Rey on Oct. 6. He followed with a game-tying goal with six minutes remaining in their semifinal matchup against Greenwood Christian. The Eagles eventually defeated Greenwood Christian 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Corea scored again in Christel’s 2-0 championship-game victory over Lutheran.
Matthew Lathrop, Hamilton Southeastern
The junior anchored a Royals defense that only gave up one goal in three sectional games. Coach Chris White called Lathrop the “smartest center back I’ve coached” and “the rock of our defense.” Thanks to Lanthrop, HSE has 11 clean sheets this season and has only allowed nine goals.
Will Doan, Covenant Christian
The senior forward scored six goals and had two assists in three sectional games last week. Doan recorded a hat trick and an assist in Covenant’s 10-0 win over Sheridan on Oct. 6. He scored two more and notched another assist in the Warriors’ 4-0 triumph against Bethesda Christian. Doan scored in the team’s 2-1 sectional final victory over University on Saturday.
Jonny Harlow, Roncalli
The senior forward scored a goal in each of Roncalli’s three sectional games last week. The Royals defeated New Palestine 5-2, Greenwood 3-1 and captured a sectional title with a 3-1 win over Perry Meridian on Saturday. Harlow also recorded an assist against New Palestine.
Micah Eldridge, Brownsburg
The senior forward had two goals and two assists in sectionals, including the game-winner in Saturday’s 2-0 final win over Pike. Eldridge, a frontrunner for player of the year, has captained the Bulldogs to a 14-game win streak.
Ulises Rivera, Lawrence North
The senior defender scored two goals against Cathedral on Wednesday. Rivera’s two goals were enough to send the game to a penalty shootout, in which the Wildcats won 5-0 and advanced to the sectional final. River had another brace in the Wildcats’ 2-1 win over Lawrence Central on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Impactful defender, elite scorers: Vote for IHSAA boys soccer player of sectionals
Reporting by Joshua Heron, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
