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Two first-half goals by Evansville Memorial’s Isaac Bennett proved enough for the Tigers to claim a 2-1 victory over South Bend Saint Joseph in the Class 2A boys championship game.

Bennett scored in the 22nd minute and in the 34th minute as the Tigers dominated in the first half with the stiff breeze at their back.

Memorial now improved to 5-0 all-time in state championship games, winning previously in 2007, 2008, 2016 and 2017 – all under long-time head coach Bill Vieth.

The Tigers also finished 17-3-2 this season, but won all 15 games played against Indiana schools.

Saint Joseph did hang tough in the second half, cutting the lead in half in the 53rd minute when Kyle Smith came up with an Adan Aguilar pass and beat Memorial goalkeeper Ben Weikert from nine yards out.

The Indians of coach Alberto Verteramo had been seeking their second state title after winning in 2003. Saint Joseph finishes 14-7-2.

Samuel Hodge of Evansville Memorial earns C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award
Samuel Hodge of Evansville Reitz Memorial was named the winner of the C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Boys Class 2A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The Tiger senior was selected as Co-Captain and recognized for 1st Team All-SIAC Conference, 1st Team All-City, 1st Team ISCA All-District, and ISCA Academic All-State. Samuel was a contributing member of the IHSAA 2A State Championship Team and was also recognized for 2nd Team All-SIAC Conference, Honorable Mention All-City, and ISCA Academic All-State his sophomore year. He is 1st in his class of 164 students. Hodge has been a Tiger Ambassador for the past two years and is an active member of Teens for Life and International Club. Samuel also spends time as a counselor for Vacation Bible School at his church and is a tutor for Audubon Kids Zone supporting students that come from families with limited means.

The son of John and Ann Hodge of Henderson, Kentucky, Samuel plans on attending Northwestern to study either Chemical or Biological Engineering.

The IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, will award a scholarship for $1,000 to Evansville Reitz Memorial in the name of Samuel Hodge.  Since 1989, almost $900,000 in college scholarships has been presented to deserving high school students in Indiana.