Indian Lake made sure the first step wasn’t the last.
The Lakers defeated Valley View 2-0 in a Division IV boys soccer sectional semi-final Tuesday at Laker Stadium.
Indian Lake (11-3-2) advances to face Benjamin Logan on Saturday. The Raiders edged Greenon 4-3. The Spartans end their year with a record of 8-8-2.
Both Laker scores came in the first half of play, one by Carson Clary and the other off the foot of Chase Schaub.
Schaub also assisted onthe first goal, while Jacob Freyhof helped set up the second.
After establishing the lead, Indian Lake’s defense kept Valley View in check, though the Spartans continued to mount pressure as time wound down.
“We knew going into this game Valley View was going to be very tough after watching film,” said Indian Lake head coach Dallas Clary. “They are very quick, very aggressive, and they proved there in the second half that they are a very good team. We just had to come out and play our game and play the way we are capable of playing. We’ll be a tough out the rest of the way if we play the way we are capable.”
“Scoring those first two goals as quick strikes was very big. We need to come out in the second half and keep applying that pressure. Our back line and our team as a whole just continue to clamp it down and we got the win.”
This is the 10th shutout for the Lakers on the season. They have allowed more than one goal just three times.
After the first 10 minutes were largely balanced in terms of possession, Clary had a hard shot from about 20 yards out the went to the top right corner, above the reach of Spartans goalie Xavier Izor at 28:01.
Aidan Stinebaugh had a shot that went just over the crossbar a few minuteslater for Indian Lake.
Near the midpoint of the half, Avery Pequignot had a free kick, which was blocked. His second effort then went high. A couple minutes later, Calvin Knife had a shot that Izor had to dive and make the save.
With 15:59 to play, Freyhof set up Schaub, and his hard cross found the back of the net to make it 2-0. Valley View was able to create some pressure with about 12 minutes to go, but couldn’t get a clean attempt at the Lakers net.
Early in the second half, the Spartans sent the ball toward the net, but one went wide right and the other sailed high.
Pequignot then had a couple chances to increase the margin. One effort required a full
extension by Izor, and the next was deflected with his hand.
With about 25 minutes to play, Pequignot managed to get Izor out of position, but his shot was wide right.
The Spartans kept pressing to try and get on the board. With about five minutes to go, they pulled Izor out of the net for an advantage. However, the Lakers defense kept anything from coming especially close.
Colten Corcoran earned the clean sheet for the Lakers in net.
“Right now it’s about surviving. We survived today and we are thankful for that. We know whoever our next opponent is will be very tough,” said Clary.
Indian Lake will host Ben Logan Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner faces either Kettering Alter or Shawnee on Oct. 22.
