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Emotions were running high in an intense rematch of last year’s 2A state championship game. The Penn Kingsmen edged out Brebeuf Jesuit to earn its first girl’s title in soccer.

Despite a scoreless first half, both offenses saw opportunities to score, but neither could capitalize. The tie was finally broken in the first minute of the second half by Penn’s Maya Lacognato. The sophomore forward scored from five yards out after she was set up for the play by junior Kristina Lynch. After the goal, the Kingsmen offense kept their foot on the gas pedal. Ten minutes after their first goal, Lynch broke through the Brebeuf defense for an unassisted goal.

The Braves tried to mount a comeback, but as injuries started to mount for the Braves, Penn’s senior keeper Sommer Domal held steady in goal, and the Kingsmen offense kept the pressure on the other side of the field. Penn, coached by Jeff Hart, avenged their loss to Brebeuf in last year’s 2A State Title game to finish the season with a 22-0-1 mark.

The Braves wrapped up their 2016 campaign with a 22-2-1 record. Brebeuf Jesuit is coached by Angela Berry White.

Kingsmen's Lexi Marks Recognized as Mental Attitude Winner
Alexis “Lexi” Marks of Penn High School was named the winner of the 2016 Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Girls Class 2A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Marks, a senior midfielder and team captain for the Kingsmen, lettered as a freshman, received All-Academic honors in both 2015 and 2016, earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors in 2015 and 1st All-Conference this season. She also participates in club soccer and is a member of the Olympic Development Program regional and state teams. Off the field, Lexi is extremely activity in numerous school organizations including Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Physics Club and Robotics, as well as community organizations such as Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council in Mishawaka, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity. An active volunteer in her community, Lexi has worked with the Silver Mile Run/Walk, The Hearth at Juday Creek Retirement Community and Northpoint Elementary School Science Fair. She has also achieved high honor roll, academic excellence and was a Whirlpool Competition team champion.

The daughter of Kevin and Jen Marks of Granger, Lexi plans to attend Purdue University to play soccer and major in Engineering.

The IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, will award a scholarship for $1,000 to Penn High School in the name of Lexi Marks.  Since 1989, more than $860,000 in college scholarships has been presented to deserving high school students in Indiana.