Boys soccer sectional preview

Updated: October 3, 2011 7:08PM

Class 2A

Munster

Schedule: Munster vs. East Chicago Central, 5 p.m., Monday; Clark vs. Hammond, 5 p.m., Morton vs. Munster-East Chicago Central, 7 p.m., Wednesday; final, 2 p.m., Saturday

Skinny: NCC champion Munster has won nine straight sectional titles, the longest active streak in the state, and 10 in 11 seasons.

Next: Winner vs. Valparaiso Sectional winner in Merrillville Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

Lake Central

Schedule: Highland vs. Griffith, 5 p.m., Gavit vs. Lake Central, 7 p.m., Wednesday; final, 7 p.m., Saturday

Skinny: Lake Central, last season’s state champion, has won eight straight sectional titles. The Indians edged Highland 1-0 on Aug. 22.

Next: Winner vs. Merrillville Sectional winner in Merrillville Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

Valparaiso

Schedule: Portage vs. Valparaiso, 5 p.m., Chesterton vs. Hobart, 7 p.m., Wednesday; final, 5 p.m., Saturday

Skinny: This sectional is loaded, with any of the three DAC teams, including co-champion Chesterton, capable of winning. The Trojans suffered their only conference loss on Sept. 21 to Portage in PKs, and topped Valparaiso 2-0 on Aug. 24; the Vikings edged the Indians 2-1 on Sept. 28. Chesterton has won two straight sectional titles, and four in five seasons. Portage has reached back-to-back semistate finals, losing to Lake Central each time.

Next: Winner vs. Munster Sectional winner in Merrillville Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

Merrillville

Schedule: Lowell vs. Kankakee Valley, 5 p.m., Merrillville vs. Crown Point, 7 p.m., Wednesday; final, 6 p.m., Saturday

Skinny: Crown Point should be in position for its first sectional title since 1995, when it won its second straight. Kankakee Valley won four straight titles under the previous alignment.

Next: Winner vs. Lake Central Sectional winner in Merrillville Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

South Bend St. Joseph’s
(at North Fields Complex)

Schedule: South Bend Washington vs. South Bend St. Joseph’s, 5 p.m., LaPorte vs. Michigan City, 7 p.m., Wednesday; final, 6 p.m., Saturday

Skinny: St. Joseph’s won a sectional title last season. Michigan City edged LaPorte 1-0 on Sept. 21.

Next: Winner vs. South Bend Adams Sectional winner in Mishawaka Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

Class 1A

Bishop Noll

Schedule: Marquette vs. Bishop Noll, 6 p.m., Monday; Westville vs. Andrean, 5 p.m., Washington Township vs. Marquette-Bishop Noll, 7 p.m., Wednesday; final, 2 p.m., Saturday

Skinny: Noll and Andrean appear to be on a collision course to meet in the final. The 59ers pulled out a 1-0 victory against the Warriors on Sept. 26. Under the previous alignment, Andrean won back-to-back titles and four in five seasons, and NWISC co-champion Noll back-to-back and three in four. Washington will make its postseason debut.

Next: Winner vs. Rensselaer Sectional winner in LaVille Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

Rensselaer

Schedule: Hanover Central vs. Hebron, 4:30 p.m., Monday; Wheeler vs. Covenant Christian, 4:30 p.m., Tuesday; Rensselaer vs. Hanover Central-Hebron, 4:30 p.m., Wednesday; final, 11 a.m., Saturday

Skinny: As many as three teams have a realistic chance to win the sectional, with a first-time winner guaranteed. Wheeler shared the NWISC title, and Hanover won the PCC.

Next: Winner vs. Bishop Noll Sectional winner in LaVille Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

Boone Grove

Schedule: Oregon-Davis vs. Boone Grove, 4:30 p.m., Monday; Morgan Township vs. Kouts, 4:30 p.m., Wednesday; final, noon, Saturday

Skinny: Only Boone Grove, in 1999, has won a sectional title from among this field, which could be wide-open.

Next: Winner vs. LaVille Sectional winner in LaVille Regional semifinals, Oct. 13

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.