Valpo rolls, LaPorte ekes by

Valparaiso's Kenneth Armour (3) and Torrey Brock celebrate the Vikings first goal in their regional match against Kankakee Valley.
(Stephanie Dowell/Post-Tribune)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

VALPARAISO -- Torrey Brock and Kyle Breitenbach have spent four years together on Valparaiso's varsity. That's tons of practice and games.

It showed on a wet Wednesday night as Breitenbach dished three assists and Brock blasted two goals in a 4-0 regional win over Kankakee Valley.

It sets up Saturday night's all-Duneland Conference final with upstart LaPorte, which nipped Culver Academy 1-0 in overtime. No. 9-ranked Valparaiso beat the Slicers 3-1 about 10 days ago.

LaPorte (7-11-1), fresh off its first sectional title, has now played its most matches ever, said coach Chris Buresch. "We settled down and played Valpo to a 1-1 tie the second half," he said.

The Vikings (12-4-1) expect to make the regional every year after taking state in 2004.

"We won and had no injuries; that was our goal," coach Danny Jeftich said. "We used 22 kids, including JV, and they were all smiling afterward."

So was Brock, with a team-best 15 goals, and Breitenbach, with eight assists. His corner kick sailed right to Brock in front of the net for a header and 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.

Eight minutes later Breitenbach found Tyler Jacobs in front and his right footer beat backup goalie Tim McDaniel. Starting KV keeper Jaime Vargas took a knee to the head early and sat 16 minutes. He returned with a butterfly bandage to finish with seven saves.

Breitenbach capped his second hat trick of helpers with a nice cross to junior Ben Wallace for a 3-0 lead with 6 1/2 minutes until halftime. Wallace scored from the left side into the right corner from 15 yards.

A soaked, shivering Breitenbach said, "I like to score but the team comes first so I looked for the next guy. I always think we'll score when I pass. We have lots of talent."

Jeftich said it's "nice to see Kyle with three assists. Earlier he was forcing attempts to score. I told him 'you're a playmaker' and to give up the ball and he did. He's unselfish with good moves. An assist is as good as a goal."

The young Kougars (6-11-1) start six sophomores to Valparaiso's seven seniors. It was tough to beat the Vikings defense on a very slick field. The hosts took 18 shots on goal to KV's two.

Jeftich praised his defense, led by seniors Craig Bazin, Bryan Webb and Josh Stymiest. It was their fifth shutout.

"It shows the defense is maturing," Jeftich said.

KV coach Duane Vanderwoude said "these guys did a great job the last four weeks. Nobody gave us a chance at sectional. I'm so proud of these young guys."

LaPorte broke the ice early in the second 7-minute OT. Senior Craig Levenhagen stole the ball as a foe slipped and rocketed a right footer into the left corner.

The Eagles (6-12-1) nearly tied it 38 seconds later. Slicers goalie Grant Noakes deflected a shot. He dove and grabbed the ball as it sat on the crease to prevent a 1-1 tie.

"Grant did a good job, as he has all year in goal," Buresch said. "Last year in the sectional final with Michigan City in a similar situation the ball slipped off his fingertips into the net. Tonight he saved the game for us."

The senior had seven saves, two in OT when his defense added one save.

Buresch said "we were outplayed the first half. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. It was ugly, the worst we've played in three weeks. Offensively we had lots of trouble tonight. We have a lot of work to do before Saturday."