Crown Point fights to gritty win over Chesterton

CROWN POINT | For almost 22 minutes in the second half, Times No. 1 Crown Point was looking at a 3-2 lead and missing by the skin of its teeth on several chances for insurance goals.

It wasn't until Lauren O'Keefe hit the mark with 13:29 left in the game that Crown Point coach Chris Mikrut was able to breathe a little bit easier in his team's 4-2 win over No. 2 Chesterton.

"I felt like we had a lot of control, we were doing a nice job," Mikrut said. "They kind of changed their formation and started pushing up a little bit more. We had to adjust to them and it was kind of like a chess match out there at times. This is what we needed. We needed a challenge."

While the offense has been stellar for the Bulldogs all season, Mikrut was pleased with his team's defensive effort. C.P. held the Trojans scoreless in the second half.

"We know we can generate (offense). I thought what was really important tonight was our defense," he said. "We were able to adjust and put some kids in different spots. When we sub and play a lot of kids, we don't see too much of a drop in play."

With a 2-2 tie to open the second half, Crown Point's Sarah Rivich struck the net less than four minutes in to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead.

Crown Point (7-0, 4-0 DAC) got things going about 12 minutes into the game, as Courtney Farrell found the net for a 1-0 lead.

Chesterton (6-2, 3-1) struck back 38 seconds later with a goal from Bridget Brendza, tying the game at 1-1.

C.P. bounced back less than a minute later on an Amy Adams goal before Brendza found the net again to tie the game 2-2 with 11:34 remaining in the first half.

The Trojans had ample chances to get back into the game in the second half, but the shots wouldn't go their way.

"You've got to take your hat off to that team," Chesterton coach David Galloway said of Crown Point. "When you get on the field, you've got to take care of business. Tonight, we didn't play our game. We actually allowed them to play their game."