Ratajac leads Vikings to victory

Portage's Walter Castrejon (left) fights for the ball with Valparaiso.
(Michael McArdle/Post-Tribune)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

VALPARAISO -- Valparaiso boys soccer coach Danny Jeftich played a hunch Saturday and it paid off with a sectional championship.

Jeftich started sophomore Anthony Ratajac, the youngest of three keepers, in goal against Portage mainly because he stopped four penalty kicks in practice Friday.

"He did a good job so we decided to give him a shot," Jeftich said. "We had a gut feeling, and he is quick."

Ratajac's superb diving save on a PK from 10 yards by Portage senior Joey Higgins preserved Valparaiso's 1-0 lead midway through the first half and inspired a 2-0 victory at Wheeler. The Vikings (11-4-1) host Kankakee Valley in Wednesday's regional.

"I read his run-up and position, made my best guess and got a hand on it," said Ratajac, in just his third start. "I was exhilarated. It gave our team confidence.

"It was my best save this season."

He didn't learn he'd start until minutes before the game.

"I was nervous at first but knew what to expect," he said. "I was definitely confident after making saves on four PKs yesterday."

Higgins kicked a hard, rising ball to his right. Ratajac leaped to his left and deflected the shot from near point-blank range.

"He made a really nice save," said coach Todd Strom of the Indians (11-7). "But I don't think that was the game; we had our chances. We played good defense and I thought the first half was pretty even."

It was -- with nearly identical stats. Each side had four shots on goal and three saves. The only difference was that Valparaiso scored. On a strong Torrey Brock throw-in, a Vikings shot was saved by sweeper Jon Cox's header. But it went to Valparaiso's Drew Ficken, who headed it in.

It was the junior defender's first goal this season.

"There was a scramble in the box and I got through," Ficken said. "I was really excited; now we go to regional."

In the second half he notched Valparaiso's only save, also a header.

Valparaiso got an insurance goal in the 47th minute. Brock, on the right side of the box, crossed to Max VanHouten, who booted in his fifth of the season from 20 yards.

"That was a beautiful play, a give-and-go," Jeftich said. "I love to see combinations. Torrey is always dangerous when he touches the ball. He has great vision and footwork, a definite Division I prospect."

Brock, Valparaiso's top scorer with 14 goals, was man-marked much of the physical game.

"They didn't give me space like last time," he said.

That was Oct. 1, when his three goals and one assist sparked a 5-1 Duneland Conference rout of visiting Portage.

"I just tried to find who was open today," Brock said. "My dad says an assist is just as good as a goal."

The speedy senior now has nine helpers.

"This was definitely a different game than last time," he said. "I could see revenge in Portage's eyes."

Both sides stressed defense in a tactical chess match with lots of pushing and tripping. Valparaiso drew two yellow cards. Portage junior Carlos Gutierrez left late in the first half after a head-to-head collision with a Valparaiso player. He went to the hospital for stitches and a concussion exam.

"Carlos being out hurt us," Strom said. "It was an up-and-down season. We lost Higgins for half the year; we started meshing late this season. We played real well against (defending champ) Chesterton (a 3-1 win)."

Ratajac and Portage freshman keeper Donovan Cole each had three saves. Portage was held to five shots on goal, one fewer than Valparaiso. The lone Portage shot on goal in the second half came with 28 seconds left. The Vikings lead the series 18-6 but Portage has won four playoff games.

Valparaiso's eighth sectional title is the first since 2005.