Stark’s hat trick leads Winamac past NM

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Boys soccer

Winamac 4, North Miami 2 (Monday): Sean Stark scored three goals, and Rylan Craig added an unassisted goal in the first half as the Winamac boys soccer team eliminated North Miami in a Class 1A, Sectional 36 quarterfinal Monday.

Winamac improved to 6-10 and will play Lakeland Christian, a 7-0 winner over Caston, in the semifinals.

Logan Marlow and Ming Lowry scored for North Miami (3-11-1).

Winamac never trailed. Stark, a sophomore, and Craig, a freshman, scored within the first five minutes to give Winamac a 2-0 lead.

Marlow’s goal in the 13th minute made it 2-1, but Stark scored again off a Kannon Hoover assist in the final minute of the half to make it 3-1.

Stark made it 4-1 when he scored off a Jaybin Hines assist in the 51st minute.

Winamac had an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.

Logan Schambers had one save in goal for Winamac.

Winamac won a sectional game for the first time since 2021. Winamac’s only sectional title came in 2001.