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Evansville Memorial used a strong first half performance to claim a 3-1 victory over South Bend St. Joseph for the IHSAA Class 2A girls soccer state championship. The win marked the Tigers’ third girls soccer state title in school history (1996, 2008).

Evansville Memorial scored two goals in the first half, both with help from Gracie Lachowecki. The senior forward assisted sophomore Kirsten Parker in the 30th minute and added a goal of her own just before halftime to give her team a 2-0 lead going into the break. The Tigers outshot the Indians by a 15-2 margin before halftime.

St. Joseph junior Madison Turner made things interesting to start the second half, adding a goal of her own off a 47th minute assist from senior Rachel Staud. But the Tigers would not be denied as Olivia Shafer headed in her first goal of the season to give her team a 3-1 lead with 10 minutes to play.

Evansville Memorial, led by coach Angie Lensing, finished its championship season with a 12 match winning streak and a final record of 21-3. South Bend St. Joseph ended its campaign with a 21-3 record as well and were making a third trip to the state finals in the last four years.

Evansville Memorial’s Gracie Lachowecki Wins Mental Attitude Award
Gracie Lachowecki of Evansville Memorial High School was named winner of the 2012 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Class 2A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The four-year varsity starter has an impressive resume that includes three sectionals, two regionals, two semi-state championships, and two state finals appearances, leading the team in scoring each year. She has been named as Evansville Metro Player of the Year for three consecutive years, and was named to both the ISCA (Indiana Soccer Coaches Association) and ICGSA (Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association) All-State and Academic All-State teams.

Ranked 10th in her class, Gracie is a member of the National Honor Society, Tiger Pride Spirit Club, and the D.A.R.E. program. The daughter of Kay and A.J. Lachowecki of Evansville, Gracie will attend University of Miami (FL) in the fall.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to Evansville Memorial High School in the name of Gracie Lachowecki. Since 1989, more than $785,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.