MERRILLVILLE | Andrean sweeper John Gore knew stopping Matt Plawecki and the rest of the Griffith offense would be a tough task, but the senior was more than ready for the challenge.

Gore had a strong defensive game, clearing most of the scoring chances Griffith had out of the box. He even helped on offense, recording an assist on a Grant Cooper goal to help the 59ers record a 3-1 win over the Panthers in the Merrillville Sectional championship. Andrean won its sixth sectional and earned the right to play E.C. Central Sectional champ Bishop Noll in Wednesday's Merrillville Regional semifinals.

"It feels great winning this," Gore said. "Last year, when we went out early with Pat Gorny and the other seniors, I saw what it meant to them. We knew we needed to do everything we can to win this game. You always have to be aware of where Plawecki is on the field, or he's just going to pop one right in the goal."

With the 59ers (12-6) holding onto a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute, Hayden Fogle knocked in a goal to give Andrean an important insurance goal that the Panthers (13-4-1) weren't able to overcome.

With the game tied 1-1, Andrean's Tony Arvin tapped a shot past Griffith goalkeeper Josh Kisfalusi. Griffith's defense tried to clear the slow-moving shot out of the box, but the Panthers were too late and the 59ers took a 2-1 lead.

Facing a 1-0 deficit midway through the first half, Griffith's Shawn Siokos headed the ball in off a free kick from Nikola Pupac to tie the game 1-1.

"We started really strong, and I think we had the better of it for the first 25 minutes," Andrean coach Pete Reist said. "After it was 1-1, Griffith started winning balls at midfield and we lost track of (Siokos). We asked our seniors at halftime, 'Is this the last game you play for Andrean?' They decided it wasn't, and we stayed composed in the second half."

The Panthers' defensive errors were the thorns in their side all game long, and Andrean's offense kept consistent pressure on Kisfalusi and the rest of Griffith's defense.

"We had a couple defensive errors, and against a good team, you can't afford that," Panthers coach Ron Knestrict said. "Andrean capitalized on their opportunities and they played a little bit more physical this time."

BOYS SOCCER

Merrillville Sectional

Championship

Andrean 3, Griffith 1

Grant Cooper, Tony Arvin and Hayden Fogle all scored for the 59ers.