October 29, 2011
Providence Captures First State Title on Penalty Kicks
In its first ever appearance in the Class A state finals, No. 1 Providence took home the state title by defeating No. 5 Mishawaka Marian 1-0 in penalty kicks Saturday morning at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.
Good defense forced the teams into a stalemate at the end of regulation and two overtime periods, sending the match into a penalty kick shootout.
Providence capitalized on 3 of its 4 shots taken, while Mishawaka Marian was only able to find the back of the net on 1 of its 4 attempts.
The match was well played with each team having multiple opportunities to score. Mishawaka Marian’s best opportunity came with 17 minutes remaining in the first half when junior forward Gabby Veldman made a good run to the goal, although ultimately sending the shot wide right. Overall, Providence controlled the time of possession and constantly applied pressure on Mishawaka Marian’s defense outshooting them 20-6 and forcing Marian’s goalkeeper, junior Makaela Douglas, to make 7 saves.
Providence ends the year with a 21-0-2 record under head coach Dave Smith and Mishawaka Marian, under the direction of head coach Djamel Charmet, finishes their year with a record of 18-3-1.
Mishawaka Marian's Lauren Garatoni Named Class A Mental Attitude Winner
Lauren Garatoni of Mishawaka Marian High School was named winner of the 2011 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Class A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.
Garatoni captained the 2011 Knights’ soccer team, and is a two-year letterwinner in the sport. She also plays varsity tennis and is involved in a local women’s hockey league.
Garatoni is involved in Campus Ministry, the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership, National Honor Society, and Science Olympiad team. She is president of the Junior Civitans, and is a member of Mishawaka Marian’s Liturgical Choir. Outside of the classroom, Garatoni is president of the Ronald McDonald Teen Board, which works to raise money and awareness for the local Ronald McDonald Family Room at Memorial Hospital.
She was named the top student of the English program at Marian, and was the St. Mary’s Biology Science Award winner at the Regional Science Fair, making Lauren the only female winner within the biology category.
Garatoni carries a 4.36 GPA with a schedule heavily loaded with Advanced Placement courses. The senior defender was named to the All-Diocese Soccer Team for her efforts on the pitch for the 2010 season, and was a member of the All-Academic Team for soccer and tennis her junior and senior years.
Lauren is the daughter of Michael and Beth Garatoni of Osceola. She is undecided on her college plans but intends to study business.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to Mishawaka Marian High School in the name of Lauren Garatoni. Since 1989, more than $745,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.