PORTAGE | Chesterton’s boys soccer team had no problems with the windy conditions Wednesday night at the Warpath.
With a steady wind of 30 miles per hour throughout the game, the Times No. 4 Trojans scored two goals in the first half with the wind at their backs, and two more in the second half going against the wind for a 4-0 Duneland Athletic Conference win over Portage.
“We executed a little bit more, and we were more productive with our opportunities with our direct free kicks and throw-ins, which was nice to see,” Chesterton coach Jamie Sensibaugh said.
Zach Froman scored both of his goals in the first half. He opened the scoring in the 18th minute, when a ball bounced to him off of teammate Billy Biehl, and he put a shot from 8 yards out past Portage keeper Cody Simmons.
“When (Froman) gets on board with finding the net, not just scoring but taking good shots and maximizing his opportunities to put it on frame, we are a better team,” Sensibaugh said.
Froman netted his second goal of the game in the 37th minute when he finished a give and go with John Ward into the lower right corner of the net.
“We had a really good combination," Froman said, "and I was able to finish."
The late goal gave the Trojans some added cushion.
“We were hoping to get out 1-0 at halftime, they got that second one and it just put us into a tough position going into the second half,” Portage coach AJ Monroe said.
Jonathan Blake scored in the 48th minute to put the Trojans (8-3-1, 4-2) up 3-0. He took a cross from Biehl at the top of the 6-yard box and put it past Simmons.
“We knew going into the wind we had to keep the ball on the ground," Sensibaugh said, "and I think that helped us out a little bit."
Keith Radzik finished the scoring with a tally in the 74th minute.
Caleb Gymrek made four saves to record his fifth shutout of the season.
Simmons made four saves for the Indians (6-6, 3-3).
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