Portage Beats Chesterton 3-2, Takes Regional Title

The Portage Indians boys soccer team is the regional winner for the second straight year! The Indians took the Valparaiso Regional tonight by beating their rival Chesterton Trojans by a score of 3-2.

Junior Donovan Cole put the Indians on his back, recording a hat trick and all three of his team’s goals. Cole and Portage wasted no time in grabbing the lead just 24 seconds into the match. Dean Anderson, a senior, got the assist by setting up his teammate nicely. In the 19th minute, Donovan found the back of the net once again to make it a 2-0 game.

Just when it looked as if the Chesterton Trojans were down and out, they came to life. The Golden Trojans got on the board late in the first half and then tied it early on in the second half.

The Indians, who beat Chesterton 2-1 when the two teams met on September 22 at the Warpath, outplayed the opponent in regulation, but the score remained tied through the end of the second half. Portage took a jaw-dropping 21 direct kicks and had more shots on goal than Chesterton, but the Trojans hung in there despite going down 2-0 early.

Six minutes into the first overtime period, Cole scored his biggest goal of the night, and perhaps the biggest goal of his career, to give Portage a 3-2 edge. Donovan had almost scored moments earlier on a blistering shot off the post. Portage had to survive a late scare in the second seven-minute OT period, but they were able to hold on for the 3-2 victory to take the regional crown. Keeper Nate Johnston made several great saves as the clock winded down to preserve the victory.

In Semi State, the Tribe will meet the winner of the game between Elkhart Central and the Marian Knights. This matchup will take place in Crown Point next Saturday at noon and will be broadcast live on Pow Wow Radio right here on PHSNewsOnline.com. Coach Todd Strom and the Portage Indians hold a 15-4-1 mark entering that contest.