Goshen Claims First Regional Title
GOSHEN – It was a historic moment Saturday for the Goshen girls soccer program.
The host Redskins captured the program’s first-ever regional championship by edging past Penn 2-1 in a Class 2-A regional final.
No. 18 Goshen, which beat Warsaw 1-0 Wednesday in a regional semifinal, advances to the South Bend St. Joseph Semistate next Saturday. The Redskins will face Fort Wayne Carroll in the second semifinal, following the 10 a.m. opener between Lake Central and Fishers. The semi state title tilt is set for 7 p.m. Saturday with the winner advancing to the Class 2-A State Finals Nov. 1 in Indianapolis.
The hosts used their trademark defense and a pair of quick goals Saturday to turn back the No. 7 ranked Kingsmen, who finish their season at 17-3-1.
Junior Jelitza Palomino scored in the 7th minute to put Goshen up 1-0. It was the 17th goal of the season for the Goshen standout, who already holds the school career record for goals with 55.
Sophomore Aylissa Trosper put the Redskins up 2-1 in the 14th minute. Trosper assisted on the first goal and Palomino assisted on the second score for Goshen.
The Kingsmen put the pressure on Goshen in the final half, finally breaking through with a goal in the 67th minute.
Penn had 18 shots to just seven for the Redskins in the match. The Kingsmen also had an 11-1 edge in corner kicks.
Junior goalie Alyssa Hershberger came up big for the champions with 17 saves for Goshen.
Goshen, which improves to 18-1-1 on the season, has allowed just eight goals all season. The Redskins have 14 shutouts this year.