HAMMOND | Andrean coach Pete Reist was already a legend in Indiana high school soccer, but Wednesday night’s outcome certainly cemented his place among the elite.
Times No. 4 Andrean’s 3-0 win over No. 6 Bishop Noll in a semifinal match of the Class A Bishop Noll Sectional Wednesday night gave Reist his 300th career victory, joining Valparaiso coach Danny Jeftich in that category.
"There was a chance that could happen this year, and that's pretty much the result of longevity and some great players coming through the school," Reist said.
The 59ers found pay dirt with 8:19 remaining in the first half when Matt Anderson connected on a free kick to give his team a 1-0 lead it would take into halftime. Prior to that goal, Andrean (13-1-3) was attacking Bishop Noll (12-3-3) relentlessly, but goalkeeper Jonathan Lozano was able to thwart several scoring opportunities.
Andrean got an important insurance goal when Aaron Corder corralled a perfect cross pass from Mike Gore and found the net just 50 seconds into the second half, and Chase Dawson put the match out of reach, scoring with 17:32 remaining.
"We were a little healthier tonight," Reist said. "We had some kids hurt last game, but we didn't make a big deal of it. It was just a good night for us."
In the first match of the evening, Times No. 10 Marquette Catholic faced an early 1-0 deficit at the hands of Westville, but rebounded to record a 6-2 win and will face the 59ers in Saturday’s championship.
“I think it got their attention,” Marquette coach Matt Fletcher said of his team‘s shaky start. “We’re going to need all hands on deck (in the championship) and need everyone playing as hard as Westville came out and played today.”
The Blazers (14-3) got goals from William Connelly and Patrick Cannon to go up 2-1 at halftime. Cannon scored his second goal of the match with 26:40 remaining, before Jack Disser capitalized on a shot only seconds later to give Marquette an insurmountable 4-1 lead. Cannon’s third and fourth goals late in the match capped the scoring for the Blazers. Cannon’s four goals gives him a whopping 40 for the season, a Marquette school record.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates,” he said. “I’m thankful that I have them. I just want to win a sectional championship. That’s what we want the most.”
Dylan Pearney scored both goals for Westville (2-15).
Please Wait…