Tipp earns share of MVL title with Butler win

The Tippecanoe girls soccer team grew all season long.

With several underclassmen in the lineup, the Red Devils battled in some tough matchups and at times, showed their youth.

But Wednesday night, that youth stepped up at the right time and helped lead the Red Devils to a 4-2 victory over Butler on their home field, and securing a share of the Miami Valley League championship.

Sophomore Kenzie Curry scored twice while freshman Maryn Perrault added one goal in the win for the Red Devils. Along with those talented underclassmen, junior Mady Turner added a goal for Tipp while junior Macie Taylor stood tall in the goal.

“We came in here tonight having it all to do and certainly did that,” Tipp coach Brent Palmer said. “We played really well and rose to the occasion, and the girls played great.”

With 23:46 left in the first half, Curry scored in the box as she snuck the ball past the Butler keeper to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

“She is a difference maker and a danger to score every time she has the ball,” Palmer said. “Her, along with the team, are playing their best soccer at the right time of the year.”

Butler answered five minutes later when they ripped a 15-yard shot that escaped Taylor to tie the game up, but near the half, Tipp regained the lead.

Perrault scored from 10-yards out to give the Red Devils a 2-1 lead heading into the break. While Tipp was scoring on their chances, their defense continued to show why Tipp could be a dangerous team in the tournament.

“Both of the goals we gave up were super avoidable due to silly mistakes that we continue to work on and improve,” Palmer said. “From an open field standpoint, we were difficult to score on and frustrated Butler really well and took advantage of our moments.”

Tipp pushed their lead to 3-1 within the opening minute of the second half as Curry scored in the left corner, but once again, Butler closed the gap moments later with a goal to make it 3-2.

With 12:38 left in the game, Turner gave Tipp some breathing room with a goal to push the lead out to 4-2, which turned out to be the final goal of the night.

Tipp hosts Ponitz in their tournament opener tomorrow night at 7 p.m. with the hopes of a big postseason run. A win tomorrow brings Tipp back Monday night against the winner of tomorrow night’s Chaminade Julienne/Stivers game. Tipp that would be at CJ should they win as expected against Stivers.

“It was a great regular season and we ended it on a high tonight, but once the postseason starts, nobody really cares about the regular season,” Palmer said. “We will be focused and locked in.”