Gage for success
Chesterton’s Kruper, who missed last season, makes presence felt in sectional opener vs. Valparaiso
Chesterton’s Gage Kruper had been waiting a long time to experience a moment like this.
The junior forward scored the first goal against Valparaiso in the first round of the Class 3A Chesterton Sectional on Tuesday as the Trojans claimed a 2-0 victory.
Kruper missed all of last season, when Chesterton won its second state title in three years.
“Last year I had to sit out because of grades,” Kruper said. “This means a lot to me.”
“It motivates me to do what I did now,” he added about the state title. “It motivates me every single day at practice — all of us.”
Chesterton coach Lucas Sabedra praised Kruper for the strides he has made.
“He’s such a talented soccer player,” Sabedra said. “He deserves to be out here to be a part of this. Last year sitting on the sideline as a manager, we had one of the most talented managers in the nation.
“We did a lot of extra work right before the school year ended. He’s such a talented player. I just wanted to make sure he’s taking advantage of all the talent and abilities he has, not just in soccer but in school. He’s done a lot to turn around as far as his belief in himself and his attitude.”
Chesterton (14-1-1), ranked No. 4 in the Class 3A state coaches poll, won 6-0 against No. 5 Valparaiso (15-3) in the teams’ Duneland Athletic Conference game on Sept. 1. The rematch was more competitive. The Vikings wound up defeating Lake Central on Sept. 29 to earn a share of the conference title with the Indians and Chesterton.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from this group,” Valparaiso coach Mike Enghofer said. “They put their hearts out there from start to finish.
“It’s the nature of the game. That’s why you love it. It can break your heart and make you the happiest ever. Last Wednesday was probably the happiest I’ve ever seen some of these kids. Then a week later, the saddest I’ve ever seen them. That’s why you play.
It’s addictive. The highs are the highs, and the lows are the lows. You have to accept it.”
Kruper scored with 14-plus minutes left in the first half, recording his third goal of the season. He headed home a nifty over-the-shoulder flick from senior forward Jacob Perkins.
Chesterton goalkeeper Ethan Boedeker maintained that 1-0 lead when he made a brilliant kick save on a close-range shot from Valparaiso’s Jack Isroff with less than 30 seconds left in the first half.
“He made an amazing save at the end of the first half,” Sabedra said of Boedeker. “It they score that one, the game’s different.”
Chesterton added an insurance goal with 18-plus minutes
left in the game when Gage Torres-Regnier deflected a shot on an assist from Josh Wadowski.
Tempers flared in the waning minutes as Chesterton won for the 13th straight time in the series.
“Personally, it’s just such an emotional game,” Sabedra said. “I get caught up in the back and forth and all the energy. Me and coach Mike were talking crap back and forth to each other. You just get so caught up in it.”
Chesterton will play either Crown Point or Kankakee Valley in a sectional semifinal on Wednesday. The Bulldogs (9-6-1) and Kougars (8-51) played the second game Tuesday.
“That was a big first step. ... It’s one game at a time,” Sabedra said. “We have a lot of experience. These guys know that.”