Bishop Noll High School's boys soccer team is one win away from a state title.
The Warriors, based in Hammond and ranked No. 2 in Indiana's Class 2A by MaxPreps, knocked off reigning state champion Guerin Catholic in the semistate round on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Kokomo. The NWI Times called the run "four years in the making."
Bishop Noll (17-2-2) will face Covenant Christian of Indianapolis (17-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Michael Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis, according to the state championship schedule published by IndyStar.
The semistate upset
Guerin Catholic entered the semistate as the defending Class 2A state champion. IndyStar reported the game was played in Kokomo and described the Golden Eagles as "stunned" by the loss.
The NWI Times published a photo of Bishop Noll's team posing with the semistate trophy after the win.
Key players to watch
Forward Joaquin Rosas wears No. 10 and leads Bishop Noll with 19 goals this season, according to MaxPreps. Midfielder Darian Araisa, No. 7, paces the team with 17 assists.
Bishop Noll has outscored opponents by a wide margin. MaxPreps' season recap lists the Warriors with 86 goals scored and 13 allowed across 21 games, though a separate comparison table on the same page lists 83 goals. They went unbeaten in conference play at 4-0 and posted a 6-0 playoff record entering the title game.
A tough matchup ahead
Covenant Christian brings a 17-2 record and reached the championship by beating Gibson Southern 2-1 in its semistate, according to IndyStar. MaxPreps ranks the Indianapolis school No. 1 in Class 2A and No. 5 in Indiana overall, compared to Bishop Noll's No. 2 and No. 7 rankings.
Covenant Christian's Mason Stephens, a halfback wearing No. 9, leads his squad with 16 goals, per MaxPreps. The Warriors from Indianapolis have allowed just five goals all season.
Bishop Noll will play for the Class 2A championship at Michael Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis.
