Trojans survive scare from Cubs in boys soccer playoffs

Tournament-host Center Grove has long dominated its boys soccer sectional, with many of its championships coming with minimal resistance.

That could be changing, though.

The class 2A No. 4 Trojans needed two second-half goals from Gabe Edel to hold off Franklin 3-2 in Saturday’s final. The title was their eighth straight and extended their state-record total to 18.

Players from both teams slipped and slid around a sloppy field, but it was host Center Grove that scored first. Senior Austin Storm collected a long cross from Mitch Eckerle and tapped it in for a 1-0 Trojans lead 13 minutes into the match.

Franklin answered less than 90 seconds later. Logan Zanzalari blasted a shot from outside the box that took a deflection off a Center Grove defender into the net.

The Grizzly Cubs (14-4) were the more aggressive team in the first half, and that aggression paid off with eight minutes left before halftime. Forward Nicholas Cataldi stole the ball at midfield and scored on a breakaway to put Franklin up 2-1, a lead that held up until halftime.

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