Center Grove’s Mia Marlin controls the ball during Thursday’s sectional semifinal against Columbus North.
Tommy Walker | For the Daily Journal
COLUMBUS
Center Grove and Franklin took different paths to Saturday’s Class 3A sectional final.
For the No. 15 Trojans, it was an early strike that set the tone. The Grizzly Cubs, on the other hand, waited until the second half to do all of their damage.
The teams will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday at the BCSC Complex on the north side of Columbus after posting shutout wins in Thursday’s semifinals. Center Grove beat No. 19 Columbus North 3-0, and the Grizzly Cubs followed with a 5-0 triumph over the host Olympians.
“I think at this time of year, the idea that you can go home stinks,” Center Grove coach Myron Vaughn said. “So we talked a lot that the ability to replicate good performances was something that was important for us today, making sure that we were able to continue to maintain a high level first and foremost. But in terms of motivation for them, I think anytime it’s win or go home, the motivation is already built in.”
The Trojans (12-4-3) struck in the second minute when Mia Marlin took a pass from Lexi Wilson and put a shot on goal that went through the hands of North keeper Danika Hoehn.
“It was big,” Vaughn said. “To be honest, we got a little fortunate with the way the goal happened, but that’s soccer for you. I was happy with the way the girls took that and ran with it. Even though we got a bit of fortune, sometimes that’s what you get.”
Marlin added another goal in the 22nd minute, this one off a cross from Sadie McLaughlin, and Center Grove led 2-0 at halftime. The Trojans added an insurance goal in the 50th minute when Wilson scored off an assist from Addy Wiesmann.
Center Grove outshot the Bull Dogs 15-3, putting eight shots on goal to North’s three. Anderson Broshears recorded three saves for the Trojans.
“I thought we played at a higher level, higher quality today, which was necessary,” Vaughn said. “But I also think at the end of the day, we’re as healthy as we’ve been overall, which makes a big difference, as well, and all the players were sharp today. So when you have talent, and the talent was sharp, you get good performances.”
Center Grove had beaten the Bull Dogs 3-1 in the season opener in August.
Meanwhile, the nightcap was tied 0-0 before Franklin (8-7-1) erupted for five second-half goals.
“We were shooting, and the keeper was making good saves,” Franklin coach Garrett Belden said. “We just had to stay patient and find our moment. We went a little more offensively, pushed a couple players forward and looked to swing the ball a little bit more than we did in the first half and found a little more success.”
Jazlinn Diaz-Avalos netted the first two goals for the Grizzly Cubs, scoring unassisted in the 47th and 56th minutes.
“We continued finishing what we were starting,” Diaz-Avalos said. “At first we started a little slow, but we noticed their mistakes, and we talked about it, and it’s always our second half that we finish well.”
Charlee Cramer scored off an assist from Sami Frazier in the 61st minute, Amelia Richter finished a pass from Lily Harvey in the 73rd minute and Ava Lee scored off an assist from Izzy Traut in the 74th minute.
Franklin outshot the Olympians 30-4, putting 17 shots on goal to none for East. Addison Mashino played the first 68 minutes in goal, and Sophie Taylor played the final 12 minutes to combine for the shutout.
Center Grove and Franklin did not meet during the regular season. They did play last year, with the Trojans winning 6-0.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Belden said. “It’s going to be one that we’re going to have to come ready to play from the moment we step on the field to the last minute of the game. I believe in these girls, and they’re going to want it, and I think we’ll have a good result Saturday.”