Pruitt scores twice to lead Triton Central to first soccer sectional title since 2017

FAIRLAND – With a pair of goals from Rylee Pruitt and a strong performance in net from Mallory Diehl, Triton Central girls soccer captured its first sectional championship since 2017 Saturday in a 2-1 win over Greenwood Christian.

The Tigers (10-8) will host Greencastle (15-3) in a regional semifinal match Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Mendenhall Field. Greencastle defeated Monrovia, 6-1, Saturday to collect its third sectional title in the last four seasons.

Triton Central defeated Indianapolis Lutheran Wednesday in a semifinal match, 1-0, without leading scorer Maddie Burnett. The sophomore has been battling a knee injury and head coach Matt Roberts was unsure the forward would be ready to play Saturday.

Not only did Burnett play, she set up the game’s first goal less than five minutes into the contest. After getting fouled, she delivered a shot into the goalkeeper’s box (photo) that did not get cleared.

Alina Kahler directed the ball toward the goal and Pruitt found an open net to make it 1-0.

“(Burnett) said she was feeling good and got a couple of days of practice in this week. We didn’t have her for Wednesday,” said Triton Central head coach Matt Roberts. “Her goal was to get back by today but we weren’t sure. It was kind of a gametime decision even though she looked really good in practice (Friday).”

Triton Central's Alina Kahler (green and black jersey) races after the soccer ball ahead of three Greenwood Christian defenders Saturday afternoon at Mendenhall Field in Fairland.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Greenwood Christian (9-5-1) turned up the pressure early in the second half and Triton Central’s goalkeeper was ready.

The Cougars had three early corner kicks and nearly converted on the second one. Diehl (main photo, pink jersey) positioned herself just right when the corner kick reached an attacker. She was able to punch the shot up and over the net to keep the Tigers in the lead.

“That was a goal we gave up a lot early in the year,” said Roberts. “She has worked really hard to be able to get that ball. She played great today. I am really proud of her.”

The Triton Central defense was tasked with keeping Olivia Cottongim from gaining free space with the ball. The sophomore finally beat two defenders and then Diehl to the near post to tie the game with 27:32 left in regulation.

Diehl remained solid and kept the Cougars from finding a second goal.

Meanwhile, Pruitt (photo) finally got a breakaway off a Kahler assist and she easily beat Greenwood Christian goalkeeper Kylie Clark for what turned out to be the game winner with 19:31 left.

With the two goals, Pruitt has now matched Burnett with 13 goals this season.

“She is one of our leaders. She is just a great player,” said Roberts. “She goes wherever we need her to go and does whatever we need her to do. And she came through today and scored a couple of goals. She is fantastic.”

The regional semifinal winner Wednesday in Fairland will advance to the regional championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Southwestern (Shelby) High School to face either Class A, No. 13 Shawe Memorial (14-1) or No. 6 Switzerland County (14-4-1).

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