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Evansville Memorial won its second IHSAA Girls Soccer State Championship, defeating Fort Wayne Snider 2-0 Saturday evening at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.  It was the eighth state finals appearance for the Tigers, whose last championship came in 1996.

The Tigers (22-2) were on the scoreboard first in the 23rd minute compliments of a header by senior forward Susan Ellsperman.  Freshman defender Alex Kixmiller was credited with the assist, her seventh of the season.

The young Panther squad had several opportunities to score in the first half but were denied by Memorial’s stingy defense and sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Stone.

The Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 after senior Brittany McCall notched her first goal of the season in the 44th minute.  The goal came off of a loose ball in the box, last touched by Ellsperman.  Ellsperman capped off an impressive season, scoring 22 goals and contributing 24 assists.

Memorial posted a 17-5 advantage in shots for the match.  Stone made three saves in the shutout, recording her 18th shutout of the year.

Memorial rolled through their opponents in the postseason, scoring an impressive 27 goals while relinquishing none.

Both semifinal games were decided by one round of penalty kicks after 94 minutes of scoreless play.  Coach Angie Lensing’s Tigers advanced to the final match with a 1-0 (4-2 PK) win over previously unbeaten Noblesville (19-1-2).  Coach James LaBorde’s Panthers advanced to the final match with a 1-0 (3-0 PK) victory over Culver Academies (17-1-3).

Evansville Memorial’s Susan Ellsperman received the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award following Saturday’s finale.  

EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL’S SUSAN ELLSPERMAN NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER
Susan Ellsperman of Evansville Memorial High School was named winner of the 2008 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Ellsperman has been a member of the student council all four years, as well a member of the Key Club, Spanish Club, and Tiger Pride Pep Club.  She earned two letters with the Tigers track and field team and was a member of the state finalist and school record-holding 4x400 relay team.  Susan is also a Eucharistic Minister and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, House of Bread and Peace, and at several youth soccer camps.

Ellsperman is ranked first among a class of 179, and carries a 6.0 G.P.A. on a 6.0 scale.  She was named to the ISCA (Indiana Soccer Coaches Association) All-State Academic Team her junior and senior years, and was recognized by the ICGSA (Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association) as Academic All-State.  Ellsperman plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana and study pre-med.

Susan is the daughter of Michael and Melody Ellsperman of Newburgh.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000.00 to Evansville Memorial High School in the name of Susan Ellsperman.  Since 1989, more than $575,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.