LAPORTE| The cool, damp weather along with a muddy Slicer field had no effect on the Chesterton Trojans. After scoring three first half goals Tuesday, they cruised to a 5-0 shutout against LaPorte.
The Trojans (12-3, 6-1) first got on the board at the 24:42 mark in the first half after Rosie Biehl's shot skirted into the right side of the net. She added a second goal two minute later, pushing Chesterton's lead to 2-0.
Hanna Kollar scored after Slicer keeper Tiarra Spikes slipped out of the net. Chesterton took a 3-0 lead at halftime, outshooting the Slicers 9-2.
"It was a sloppy track, and it took us a little while to adjust," Chesterton coach David Galloway said. "We talked about how we'd prepare to play on this surface, and they adjusted well."
"(Those three goals) made a huge difference," Galloway said. "When you're up by three, it gives you a chance to work on other things. We concentrate on swinging the ball."
The Slicers' (7-6-1) best scoring opportunity came seven minutes into the second half when Kelsie Zawada took a shot and second-half keeper Carley Furto, but Furto charged out of the net to make the save.
Sam Furto added a goal for the Trojans with 18:29 left to play, shooting the ball into the left corner of the net. Kollar's second goal came with 2:26 left to play, giving the Trojans a 5-0 lead.
"Hanna was hurt earlier in the season and now she's getting into midseason form late in the season, so she's coming at the right time," Galloway said. "She has a lot of energy and very quick, she did a real good job for us."
The win gives Chesterton at least a share of the DAC title game.
"A third of the pie," Galloway said, "which is much better than we were thinking after that early season loss to Crown Point. We had some concerns, but the girls rode the ship and we're able to get a piece of the DAC championship. I was afraid after that loss it might be a letdown, but we re-focused and got the job done."
Spikes had 10 saves for the Slicers. LaPorte was outshot 9-1 in the second half.
"We knew it was going to be more of a defensive effort, trying to counter attack," LaPorte coach Bryan Murray said. "I think we had good energy and playing hard. I think they played well, but we made a few mistakes in the back. When you play a team like this, they're going to find some in the back of the net."
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