Crown Point carves up Slicers

Updated: May 9, 2012 9:45AM

CROWN POINT — They kept attacking without missing a beat.

There was literally no let up in sight.

At times, LaPorte coach Bryan Murray had to be wondering how much depth Chris Mikrut’s Crown Point girls soccer team actually has.

The answer, obviously, is a whole lot.

“They’re just a great team — they’re deep and they’re talented,’’ Murray said.

The Bulldogs have allowed only three goals all season — none in Duneland Athletic Conference action.

“The first group is stronger, but there’s no drop in play,’’ Mikrut stated proudly. “They’re all very competitive. It’s the closest team I’ve ever had in terms of the girls getting along and challenging each other.’’

So far this season, there haven’t been a whole lot of challengers going up against Mikrut’s team.

The Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0) scored six second-half goals to break open a tight game and cruised to an 8-0 DAC win over LaPorte (4-2, 1-2) Tuesday night.

Senior forward Abi Small recorded a hat trick and freshman midfielder Lauren O’Keefe accomplished the feat as well — scoring all three of her goals in a span of 12:17 late in the second half.

“Abi works so hard,’’ Mikrut said. “She’s working the 18 from one side to the other side really hard. Her strikes are good. She’s taking kids on. She works hard chasing the ball down.’’

Small, now with nine goals this season, recorded her first hat trick in high school.

“I worked really hard,’’ she said. “It was really exciting. I had some great services from our outside forwards. I’m just glad I had the opportunity to finish for the team. We’re a family, here, before we’re a team.’’

When you consider how long Small waited to register a hat trick, it’s amazing O’Keefe managed to do it as a freshman.

“It was great,’’ she said. “I’m in shock. My goals, they came off great passes and from following shots. I don’t ever feel like a freshman. We’re all one team. It doesn’t really matter what our age is.’’

Mikrut smiled when asked about O’Keefe’s feat.

“I’m sure she’s going to remember this night for a long time,’’ he said. “She’s one of two freshmen who play a lot. She makes it very simple — one or two touches. She hustled and worked hard to get in the box and put herself in position to score.’’

The Slicers played without senior forward Kelsie Zawada again.

Zawada, who’s headed to Indiana State, suffered a hairline fracture of her hip against Merrillville last week.

“We weren’t able to get the ball forward the same way without her,’’ Murray said. “It hurt our counter-attack, especially against a team like this where we have to find a way to get the ball back over the line. I thought our defense hung in there pretty well for a while, but we got tired in the second half and were unable to clear a couple of balls on the back line.’’

LaPorte sophomore goalie Tiarra Spikes made 20 saves.

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