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In (almost) a carbon copy of the 2017 Class 1-A girls final, Evansville Mater Dei repeated as state champions with a 1-0 victory over previously-unbeaten Wheeler.

Maddie Folz’s goal in the 56th minute gave the Wildcats the only score they would need to finish off their fourth appearance in the state finals in the last five seasons. A year ago, coach Amy Weber’s squad also took a 1-0 victory over Wheeler – although that title game needed overtime to settle the matter.

The teams played even during the first 40 minutes before Folz picked up a pass from Ellsa Bonnell and beat Wheeler keeper Alaina Hill for what proved to be the game winner.

Sabrina Henderson faced nine Wheeler shots – seven in the second half to record the shutout for the Wildcats, who finish 16-4-1. Hill had five saves off of 10 shots for the Bearcats.

Coach Bryan Wheeler’s Bearcats finish 22-1 this season and 43-2 over the past two season with both losses coming to Mater Dei in the state title game.

Lauren Putz of Wheeler earns Mental Attitude Award 
Lauren Putz of Wheeler High School was named the winner of the Mental Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Girls Class A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

The senior wildcat and four-year starter has been a part of sectional, regional, and semi-state championship teams during her career at Wheeler. Putz was named an All District Top Team Player and Academic All State in 2017. Putz also excels in the classroom, where she is ranked 5th in her class of 155 students. She is an active member in both Student Council and the National Honor Society and has volunteered for programs like the Lincoln Park Soup Kitchen for the homeless and elderly. Lauren has also helped out with the Color Run, Turkey Trot, and the Popcorn Panic Running events. She was the Ben Carson Scholarship Award recipient, which is a first ever for a Wheeler High School student.

The daughter of Deborah and Joe Putz, Lauren plans to attend Indiana University to pursue a degree in Marketing.

The IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, will award a scholarship for $1,000 to Wheeler High School in the name of Lauren Putz.  Since 1989, almost $900,000 in college scholarships has been presented to deserving high school students in Indiana.