When Megan Perry, a first-team All-State player last fall, lost the first part of her 2018 girls soccer season to an injury, her Center Grove teammates knew they would have to scramble to fill the void.
Piper Belden felt the burden more than anybody — and the senior responded with vigor.
“Losing (Perry) was a pretty big impact,” Belden said, “and so we all got the mindset — I know I did especially — I was like, ‘I have to step up my game.’”
Belden stepped up to the tune of 23 goals, helping lead the Trojans to a Class 3A semistate appearance. Her efforts earned her the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year honor.
Starting the season with a flurry, Belden scored 11 goals over a stretch of five matches — all Center Grove wins — in late August and early September. She then capped the year by scoring in each of the team’s first five state tournament games as the Trojans won a regional title for the first time since 2015.
“Every time I stepped on the field, I was like, ‘I am not making this my last soccer game,’ and I know the other girls, they all felt the same way,” Belden said.
Center Grove coach Mike Bishop had a chance to see Belden’s relentlessness up close.
“She plays hard, period,” he said. “She never let up. She always put her best foot forward and hustled around as best she could.”
Belden’s soccer career came to an end with the Trojans’ semistate loss to Carmel; her athletic future will be in softball. An All-State second baseman, she’s committed to play at the University of Indianapolis — but before she becomes a Greyhound, Belden is determined to climb the final rung of the postseason ladder.
Center Grove’s softball season has ended in the semistate round each of the past two years, and coming just as close to a title on the soccer field has only heightened her desire to go out on top.
“I’ve experienced final four with both teams, and I’ve felt the feeling in my stomach,” Belden said. “I want to go to state so badly, and I know that with softball, we really have a shot to.”
After seeing how effective she is at converting the shots she had on the soccer field, it’d be foolish to bet against her.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”All-County team” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The 2018 All-Johnson County team for girls soccer:
Piper Belden, Center Grove senior: Scored a team-high 23 goals, including one in each of Trojans’ five state tournament victories … An All-District and third team All-State selection.
Olivia Brawley, Greenwood sophomore: Impacted the game in just about every way for the young Woodmen … Finished with three goals and 11 assists while playing primarily in defensive midfield.
Macy Detty, Center Grove sophomore: Wildly effective scorer off the bench, finishing with 14 goals and six assists … Scored three times against Pike and had three other two-goal efforts.
Emilie Hill, Franklin senior: Longtime midfielder and defender took on more of the offensive burden for the Grizzly Cubs, leading the team in scoring … Will play at the University of Evansville next fall.
Addie Marshall, Franklin freshman: Athletic netminder turned away an inordinate amount of shots while facing heavy pressure much of the year … Posted four shutouts for the Grizzly Cubs.
Gracyn Montfort, Center Grove senior: Dished out 15 assists, tops in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference, from her outside midfield spot … Also scored two goals for regional champions.
Peyton Murphy, Center Grove freshman: Took on large responsibilities as an outside midfielder and handled them well during Trojans’ semistate run … Totaled three goals and three assists.
Cameron Northern, Greenwood Christian junior: Scored a team-high 21 goals, tying her own school record with six against Indianapolis Washington, and dished out seven assists.
Jostin Reeves, Center Grove junior: Midfielder finished with four goals and six assists … Elevated her play during the Trojans’ semistate run, scoring all but one of her goals during the postseason.
Katie Schier, Center Grove senior: Anchored a Trojan defense that allowed just 13 goals in 22 matches, posting 15 shutouts … Logged a team-high 1,543 minutes … Will play at St. Francis next year.
Paige Waskom, Center Grove sophomore: Big contributor at both ends, scoring five goals and adding four assists from the defensive midfield to help lead Trojans to Class 3A semistate.
Kelti Wise, Center Grove junior: Second team All-District pick gave up just 12 goals and finished with a 17-4 record and 15 solo or combined shutouts, making 96 saves.
Honorable mention
Maddie Alexander, Franklin; Mattie Arcand, Franklin; Ellie Bigelow, GCA; Stephanie Brady, Whiteland; Manvir Chahal, Whiteland; Veda Craig, Greenwood; Mollie Hill, Franklin; Alaina LaPorte, Whiteland; Megan Perry, Center Grove; Katie Potter, GCA; Madisyn Proctor, Whiteland; Brooklyn Stubblefield, Greenwood; Leesha Thacker, Whiteland
[sc:pullout-text-end]
