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South Bend St. Joseph’s scored on its only shot on goal to earn a 1-0 victory over Columbus North in the girls soccer state championship match Saturday night at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis. Sarah Hall scored her 33rd goal of the season on a shot from 25 yards away midway through the first half to give the Indians the lead they would not relinquish.

Hall’s goal came against the run of play, as Columbus North dominated possession for much of the first half. The Bull Dogs also took more shots in the match, as they forced South Bend St. Joseph’s Melissa Kuhar to make six saves.

The Bull Dogs’ best scoring opportunity came with about 10 minutes remaining in the second half, when junior Erica Stewart drove a free kick over the South Bend St. Joseph’s wall, but Kuhar was up to the task.

The Indians knocked off defending state champion Indianapolis Cathedral, 1-0, in the morning semifinal match and earned the school’s second state championship in girls soccer (1998). Under the leadership of head coach Johan Kuitse, South Bend St. Joseph’s finishes the season with a 22-1-1 record.

Columbus North made its first-ever state finals appearance in the morning semifinal match, where they defeated Guerin Catholic in penalty kicks to earn a spot in the championship match. The Bulldogs close the year with a record of 17-6-2 for head coach Mike Spock.

GUERIN CATHOLIC’S HANNAH BARKER NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE WINNER
Hannah Barker of Guerin Catholic High School was named winner of the 2010 Mental Attitude Award for Girls Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Barker has been an officer of the SADD Club, a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Honor Roll, and a People to People Student Ambassador as well as volunteering for Special Olympics and various other local charities.

Hannah has earned four letters in soccer and was a member of the 2008 and 2010 state finalist squad where she was a team co-captain.  Barker holds school records for career goals, points in a season, assists in a season, and assists in a game.

Barker carries a 4.0 GPA and was named to the ISCA (Indiana Soccer Coaches Association) All-State Academic Team her junior and senior years.

Hannah is the daughter of Dave and Debbie Barker of Carmel.  She plans on attending Hanover College to study Biology.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to Guerin Catholic  High School in the name of Hannah Barker.  Since 1989, more than $707,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.