UNION TWP. | Chesterton junior Austin Haire scored in Saturday afternoon's Wheeler Sectional championship, but he also felt someone else played a larger part in the victory.

"I've got to credit the defense," Haire said. "(Goalie Alec) Houpt had a great game."

Houpt made 10 saves, including seven in the second half, as the Trojans upset state No. 9 Valparaiso 1-0. This is Chesterton's fourth overall sectional crown.

Just like in the Duneland Athletic Conference opener, Houpt stifled Valparaiso's offense. In a span of 174 minutes, which includes two games and two overtime periods, Houpt has 18 saves against the Vikings (12-3-3).

"I cannot say enough about the game he played today," Chesterton coach Jamie Sensibaugh said of his 6-foot-5 senior keeper. "He's big, and he made some big plays for us."

The biggest was a sprawling stop with 29:44 remaining in the contest. Valparaiso senior Gerrad Akright rifled a laser from 25 yards out, and the attempt crept towards the right upper 90. Houpt used all of his frame to deflect the shot wide, which even caused Akright to shake his head in disbelief.

"I thought I had a chance at it," Houpt said, "but it was a great shot."

More than 17 minutes later, Ben Molnar crossed the ball to Haire. Valparaiso goalie AJ Ratajac got his hands on the attempt, but he couldn't collect enough of it to stop the ball from rolling into the net.

"That really pumped me up," Houpt said. "I was so happy for Austin."

Sensibaugh was also pleased that Haire was able to make a play in the air.

"He's great on headers," Sensibaugh said of Haire. "That's why we put him around the net."

Haire wanted to share the credit with Molnar.

"We always look for it," the midfielder said, "and Ben put together a good cross."

After a marathon shootout loss to the Trojans in the regular season, Valparaiso coach Danny Jeftich believed the sectional defeat was equally upsetting.

"Houpt made some unbelievable stops," Jeftich said. "I (still) thought we should've won the game.

"I told our guys that this game would come down to one play."

The Trojans (13-3-1) will play DAC rival Portage in Wednesday's Valparaiso Regional.

"We didn't want this to be our seniors' last game," Haire said. "I didn't want to see them go home."

BOYS SOCCER

Wheeler Sectional

Championship

Chesterton 1, Valparaiso 0

Trojans goalie Alec Houpt made 10 saves.