‘Hungry to compete’
Illiana Christian gears up for postseason debut; Bishop Noll, Valparaiso look back at notable wins
This is an interesting season for Illiana Christian’s debut in the Indiana High School Athletic Association postseason.
The Vikings (5-5-2) have nine new starters, including four freshmen, after posting a 15-2-1 record last season. Two other freshmen have earned significant minutes following the graduations of 11 seniors.
But coach Todd Bevan has been encouraged by Illiana Christian’s performances and results as it prepares to play in a sectional next month.
“We have a really good group of guys, and we’re improving every game. … With the work ethic and high energy and the team culture and attitude, it’s great to see,” he said.
Illiana Christian moved from Lansing, Illinois, to Dyer ahead of the 2018-19 season. The Vikings, who spent several weeks earlier this season ranked in the Class 1A state coaches poll, originally weren’t eligible to participate in the postseason until 2022-23. But the IHSAA approved their proposal to amend its bylaws, allowing schools joining from adjacent states to expedite the process.
“We’re extremely excited to have that opportunity,” Bevan said. “All the boys are hungry to compete in the state tournament again.
“We know it won’t be easy. But we have the potential to make a good run.”
Jake Vander Zee has been instrumental in Illiana Christian’s success. The senior midfielder, a four-year starter, has a team-high eight goals.
“When he was younger, we had other attacking players, so he played a more defensive role,” Bevan said. “But we’ve unleashed him into the offense, and he’s the engine of our team. He’s a captain, a vocal leader. He has the best work ethic on the entire team.”
Freshman Chase Poortinga has added seven goals and six assists. Freshmen have accounted for 14 of the Vikings’ 29 goals.
Bevan also praised the defensive trio of senior Kyle Clark, senior Jaxson Smit and junior Adam Gibson.
“They’re really locking things down, especially as we’re growing offensively,” he said. “They’re keeping us in games.”
The Vikings, who are slated to join the Greater South Shore Conference for the 2021-22 season, played seven of their first nine games against Class 3A opponents. Bishop Noll is the only one among their final seven.
“With more games against schools our size and more home games, we’re hoping to have a strong finish to the year,” said Bevan, whose team’s last five games are at home.
Striking scoreline, Part I: Bishop Noll’s 1-0 win on Saturday ended a remarkable run for Chesterton.
The No. 4 Trojans (9-2) hadn’t lost a regular-season game to an area opponent since Sept. 13, 2017.
The Warriors (6-1), whose only loss this season was against Munster, notched the victory on a goal from senior midfielder Bruno Zamora with an assist by senior forward Jake Wichlinski. Senior goalkeeper Fernando Ramos made 22 saves.
“It’s a big win,” Bishop Noll coach Quinn Cloghessy said. “The boys played calm, confident and simple. They showed real mental toughness hanging with a great Chesterton team.
“We had a plan set out from the beginning and followed it through. I had great leadership from all facets of the field.”
Striking scoreline, Part II: Valparaiso grabbed sole possession of second place in the Duneland Athletic Conference with a 2-1 win against No. 11 Crown Point on Wednesday.
The Vikings (9-1-1, 4-1) ended a sixgame losing streak to the Bulldogs (6-3-1, 3-2) that included one sectional game. Valparaiso last won in the series in 2014.
“It’s an important win because it’s a conference game and a team we have a lot of respect for,” Valparaiso first-year coach Mike Enghofer said. “It’s always a good sign when you can rise to the occasion and be successful when tested against a good opponent.”
Jack Isroff scored a little more than a minute into the game on an assist from EJ Dreher before Ethan McFadyen made it 2-0 on an assist from Breece Walls. Kristian Simakoski scored for Crown Point.
On Saturday, the Vikings extended their winning streak to eight games with a 2-0 victory at West Lafayette, which is ranked No. 7 in Class 2A.