November 1, 2014
Second Half Goal Leads Canterbury Girls to First Soccer State Title
Defense was the name of the game in the Class A girls showdown between Fort Wayne Canterbury and Evansville Mater Dei with both schools making their first girls soccer finals appearances.
After a scoreless opening half which saw both teams shut down multiple scoring chances for the other, it was Canterbury sophomore Sydney Colby who broke through in the second. She connected with the back of the net in the 71st minute, her 13th goal of the season and it was all her team would need for a 1-0 victory. The Class 1A girls state championship was the school's first in the sport.
Canterbury’s goalkeeper, junior Alexa Habig made seven saves to preserve the shut out. The Cavaliers outshot Mater Dei 8-5 in the first half and 17-8 for the match.
The Cavaliers, coached by Jennie Crandal, finished their championship season on a nine game winning streak en route to a 14-6-1 record. Runner-up Mater Dei ended the year 17-5-2 under coach Rob Schoenstein.
Mater Dei's Emily Bradley named Mental Attitude Award winner
Emily Bradley of Evansville Mater Dei High School received the 2014 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Class A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.
As captain of the Wildcats, Bradley led Mater Dei to its first soccer state finals appearance. The midfielder appeared in all 24 matches for the Wildcats this season. She is a four-time Academic All-City selection, and is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, pep club, and serves as treasurer of her senior class.
Emily is the daughter of Chris and Leah Bradley of Evansville.
The IHSAA Executive Committee presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to Evansville Mater Dei High School in the name of Emily Bradley. Since 1989, more than $840,000 in college scholarships has been presented to deserving high school students in Indiana.