LC girls take fourth straight regional

Highland's Katie Novosel stops Lake Central's Emily Peppin during their game.
(Jeffrey D. Nicholls/Post-Tribune)

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MUNSTER -- Lake Central captured its fourth straight girls soccer regional title Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Highland. 

"All during sectionals, we'd come out sort of flat," Lake Central coach Richard Moore said.

 "We were hoping to come out better for the regional.  We'll consider this a plateau and hopefully maintain it for the rest of the tourney."

The Indians also defeated the Trojans in the regional final last year, but needed overtime penalty kicks to do so. Not so this year, as Lake Central took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute and never looked back.

The Indians got on the board when Ashley Doreski took a pass off a Highland defender from Megan Uzubell in the left side of the box. 

After steadying herself, Doreski chipped a shot past the Highland keeper into the right corner of the net.

"It was a great pass from Megan, and I just flicked it over the goalkeeper," said Doreski.

Lake Central (16-1-4) scored twice more in the second half, both on balls that got loose from the Highland keeper. The first came on another Uzubell-Doreski hookup as Uzubell sent a corner kick into the box and Doreski collected the loose ball for a score.

"Another great cross by Megan," said Doreski, a junior, of her 15th goal of the season. "These are a great bunch of senior girls to play with."

Lake Central freshman Jane Gates scored her first goal of the season in the 55th minute to round out the scoring.

Highland (15-5) managed only two shots on goal, both fielded cleanly by the Indians' Brooke Polus.

The Trojans were making only their second regional appearance in school history, but not with the senior-laden bunch they had last season. This year's roster was dominated by freshman and sophomores.

"I hope in a year or two, we're as good as (Lake Central)," said Highland coach Gordon Walker.

"That's a very, very good team. I've got no doubt they'll make it to the Final Four." 

Lake Central's next step in that direction comes in the Valparaiso semistate semifinals at 11:30 a.m. Saturday against Portage Regional winner Chesterton, which defeated Valparaiso on penalty kicks Wednesday.