Holy Cross wins third straight Division II boys soccer title, edging St. Thomas More, 1-0

There’s no such thing as a rebuilding year for Holy Cross. With just three seniors, the Tigers perhaps put together their best championship run yet to secure a three-peat.

Winning two hard fought overtime games to reach another final, the Tigers overcame St. Thomas More, 1-0, in a battle of top seeds at Strawberry Field in Hammond.

Congrats to Holy Cross the Division II Boys’ Soccer State Champions! #LHSAA #3peat @HCStudentBody pic.twitter.com/z068Fwm1Ss

— LHSAA (@LHSAA) February 28, 2020

Head coach Matt Millet has helped guide Holy Cross to an elite level in state soccer. Teams that are elite find ways to win.

Ethan Carney collected a loose ball, weaved past several defenders and then fired a show off his right foot that the keeper was in position to make the save. However, the ball deflected off the foot of defender and just under the crossbar in the 69th minute.

After that, the top-seeded Tigers played defense like championship sides always do to protect the win.

The first half, however, was a game of wait-and-see as both teams played deep in the back looking for the other to make mistakes. Then the tone of the match changed. Holy Cross came into the second half determined to break the game open.

“I thought we battered them in the second half. We really didn’t say much at halftime,” said Millet.

Chester Mills, who scored the winning goal in Holy Cross’ overtime victory over Ben Franklin in the semifinals, was named the most outstanding player of the finals as he created several chances for the Tigers in the second half.

Congrats to Chester Mills from Holy Cross the Division II Boys’ MVP! pic.twitter.com/O2nNJO8ThA

— LHSAA (@LHSAA) February 28, 2020

It was a tough pill to swallow for the the Cougars to lose on a deflection after not allowing a goal previously in the state playoffs but the Tigers were worthy winners on the night. Now, they can set their eyes on a fourth straight title with what will be a senior laden team. No one can question how good Holy Cross is.

“The fact that we had only three seniors this year and we made it back for the third year in a row,” said Carney. “We won it shows we’re an elite program.”

Three-peat equals elite.