Pirates, 59ers return to title match

MERRILLVILLE -- On paper Merrillville and Andrean were the favorites coming into the 2007 Merrillville Soccer Sectional. With the conclusion of the semifinals on Thursday, both teams didn't disappoint or surprise anyone by making it to the championship matchup on Saturday.

The teams will meet for the second consecutive year as the Pirates easily knocked off Hobart 7-1 in the second game of the night. Revenge will be the theme for Merrillville after dropping a 1-0 decision last year to Andrean on a self-inflicted, not to mention directed, shot that found its way into the Pirate net.

"We've lived with that for a full year," head coach Brian Past said about last year's sectional final. "We are going to try to use that as a motivational tool for Saturday.

"For the next 48 hours that is going to be the topic of discussion. Revenge."

Andrean (3-11-3) defeated a tough-minded Griffith (10-7) squad that featured five sophomores in the starting line-up 2-0 in the opener after having beaten them 11-1 just two weeks prior during the regular season. Foreign exchange student Joost Anker put the 59ers ahead with just 2:21 off the game clock in the first half. With 2:58 to go before half time, Joe Krilich joined the scoring attack. Both goals were orchestrated by Dan Thiel who was on the assist end of each play.

"We thought we should have scored more goals, but (Griffith) played hard and played really well," Andrean head coach Pete Reist said. "We started off like we would be able to break it open but we never did. It's a win so we get to play again on Saturday night. I guess that's what its about now."

Merrillville (6-10-1) had no trouble with their neighbor to the northeast as Ryan Stokes (2 goals) and Nick Vadas (2 goals) each took turns scoring goals in the first 40 minutes to give the Pirates a 4-0 half time lead. Stokes tacked on one more goal in the second half as he completed his hat-trick in the 48th minute.

The Pirates also received goals from Antonio Carbajal and Mike Enghofer, all in the second half. Josh Phillips added an assist.

Hobart (3-12-2) prevented being shutout as Steven Karatiglidis blasted one in from 20-yards out to produce the only Brickie bright spot.

In the regular season match up, Merrillville edged out Andrean 2-1 and Reist is confident that the Pirates still have lingering feelings from that loss.