Goshen vs. Northridge, “The Rematch,” is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. in the championship of a high school boys soccer regional at Westview.
The Northridge Raiders trimmed previously unbeaten LakeWood Park, 1-0, Wednesday night in the first regional semifinal.
The Goshen Redskins topped Angola, 4-1, in the second contest.
Goshen (14-2-3) and Northridge (14-3-2) square off for the right to advance to the Fort Wayne Snider semistate on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Lakewood Park finishes 18-1 and Angola 11-5-1.
Defense was a big part of the Northridge win, according to coach Todd Woodworth.
The Raiders held Lakewood Park without a shot on goal, quite an accomplishment considering Lakewood junior Austin Altimus had scored 38 goals.
“We wanted to limit the touches of No. 7 (Altimus),” Woodworth said. “We felt if we did that we had a good chance. (Juniors) Josh Miller and Luke Davis did just that. Our defense from the midfield back stepped it up.
“Lakewood Park is a solid team. You don’t go 18-0 for no reason.”
Northridge had 11 shots on goal. The Raiders had at least three shots bounce off either the goal upright or the crossbar.
“We had the shots. I kept thinking how many times can we bounce the ball off the goal,” Woodworth said. “We had their defenders and goalkeeper beat three times and didn’t score.”
Northridge’s goal by junior Steven Alvarado at 30:48 of the opening half surprised the coach.
“Steven was trying to keep the ball inbounds,” Woodworth said. “He centered the ball and it bounced off an Angola player into the net. We had much better shot attempts which didn’t go in and that one does. But that is how this game goes some times.”
Northridge had a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.
We were probably a little quicker and a little more athletic,” Woodworth said. “We also used our bench more. That helped us keep the pressure on.”
Second Game
Goshen jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead on Angola.
Junior Eddie Chirino netted the first goal at 30:46, followed by senior Carl Kay at 21:50 and junior Charly Ruvalcaba at 10:12. Junior Jose Mejia was credited with an assist on Ruvalcaba’s goal.
“Angola tried to pressure us and we told the kids to just keep things simple,” Goshen coach Viratham Mounsithiraj said. “If we kept our passes simple, we felt things would open up for us. Of course it helps when we finish plays like we did.
“A 3-0 halftime lead took the pressure off us and the wind out of Angola’s sails.”
The Redskins took a 4-0 lead at 25:19 of the second half on another goal by Kay. It was his 21st of the season and added to his school record.
“Carl’s second goal helped us relax a little bit,” Mounsithiraj said.
The second half was more physical than the first.
“It got kind of physical out there, so when we got up 4-0 I took some of the starters out,” Mounsithiraj said. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt for Saturday.
“We had told the kids to expect a more physical second half because that is Angola’s strength. We went to our strength, which is knocking the ball around.”
Goshen led 7-4 in shots on goal and 4-1 in corner kicks. Senior Naciel Rodriguez made three keeper saves for the Redskins before being replaced by junior Gabe Lepe.
Angola senior Luke Dunn scored with 11:20 left to play.
Northridge was a 1-0 winner when they faced the Redskins on Aug. 29 in Goshen on a goal in the 58th minute by Miller assisted by Alvarado.
“We have been looking forward to a rematch with Northridge,” Mounsithiraj said.
Goshen’s other loss this season was a 1-0 decision to Bethany Christian, a team the Redskins defeated 3-1 last Saturday night in the Goshen sectional championship.
“Playing Northridge again will be like playing Bethany again. It will give our kids more motivation,” Mounsithiraj said.
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