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Fax: 317-575-4244 Website: www.ihsaa.org
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October 29, 2005
NORTH CENTRAL WINS FIFTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN A THRILLER
North Central (Indianapolis)
captured its fifth IHSAA boys soccer state title in
seven final-match appearances with an exciting 2-1 triumph over Carmel at Kuntz
Stadium in Indianapolis. Coach Jerry Little’s Panthers (17-3-4) got the
game-winning goal with 29 seconds remaining in regulation by senior forward
Steve Shively. It was Shively’s
team-best 18th goal of the campaign.
North Central had taken an
early 1-0 lead at the 21:42 mark on a 40-yard shot by sophomore midfielder Ray
Gaddis. Gaddis recorded his 12th
goal of the season with a booming blast following a long run.
Carmel (18-4-3) tied the
match at the 53:32 mark on the team-best 36th
goal of the season from senior forward Chris Cutshaw
off an assist from junior defender Robby Lynch.
North Central avenged a 1-0
defeat at Carmel on September 14.
North Central senior
defender Robert Bercovitz received the Eugene Cato
Mental Attitude Award after the event.
North Central advanced to
Saturday night’s final with a victory on penalty kicks against Lake Central
(19-3-1) on Saturday morning. The match
was scoreless through 94 minutes of regulation and two overtimes, before the
Panthers edged the Indians on penalty kicks, 5-4.
Carmel, coached by Dan Kapsalis, reached Saturday’s championship with a 3-2
triumph over Evansville Memorial (21-4), thanks to two goals by Cutshaw. Carmel also
finished second in 1997 in its only other IHSAA finals appearance.
ROBERT BERCOVITZ NAMED EUGENE CATO MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
North Central
(Indianapolis) defender Robert Bercovitz is the 2005
recipient of the C. Eugene Cato Award presented to an outstanding senior
participant in the boys soccer state tournament.
The recipient of
the award, nominated by his principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude,
scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability in soccer.
The award is
named in honor of Mr. Cato, who served as the IHSAA’s
fifth commissioner from 1983-95, helping soccer become the association’s 10th
sponsored sport for boys and girls.
Bercovitz
is a three-year varsity performer for North Central, helping the Panthers to
two state championship matches in three years.
He served as a co-captain this season.
Bercovitz
ranks eighth in his senior class of 710 students with a 4.93 cumulative grade
point average on a 4.0 scale, taking exclusively honors or Advanced Placement classes.
“Robert is
undoubtedly one of our finest students, citizens, and leaders,” said North
Central principal C E Quandt. “He is a dynamic young man destined for an
exceptional future. He has the special
talent to lead by example and through encouragement.”
Indiana Farm
Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner,
presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to North Central High School in the
name of Robert Bercovitz. Since 1989, over $512,000 in college
scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving
high school students in the state.
VSN MEANS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY
Visit our friends at Visual Sports Network, the IHSAA’s official photographer for all state championship
events and one of the leading action photographers in the
STATE FINALS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
Couldn’t be in Indianapolis
for the state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official souvenir
program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at
the IHSAA Office (