Luce: Depth factor in Valley soccer’s loss to Squires

Jellison scores twice in Caston win over Peru; LaVille scores first, but Argos wins 10-1 behind Redinger’s hat trick

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Boys soccer

Manchester 4, Tippecanoe Valley 0 (Tuesday): The visiting Vikings fell to conference and sectional rival Manchester Tuesday.

Manchester, the defending Three Rivers Conference and sectional champions, led 1-0 at halftime and then tacked on three goals in the final 20 minutes.

“Just like last week against Caston, Valley failed to cash in on three excellent chances to score in the first half,” Valley coach Andrew Luce said in a statement. “The defense was able to keep it close as Alexis Hernandez played another excellent game as the keeper and defender Arturo Dominguez was all over the field making plays. However, the difference in the game proved to be the depth Manchester displayed. Valley simply ran out of gas. Starters Caleb Petgen, Carson Craft, Jessica Brito and Christian Ramirez all suffered minor injuries and finished the game on the sidelines watching.”

Valley hosts Maconaquah at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Caston 4, Peru 1 (Tuesday): Rowan Jellison had two goals and an assist, and Chase Brault and Edgar Aguilar-Mendez scored once each for Caston in a home win over Peru Tuesday.

Bailey Zimpleman had six saves in goal for the victorious Comets.

“We definitely had more success through the middle third this evening,” Caston coach Narciso Sanchez said in a statement. “Our holding mids (midfielders) did a good job of working with each other, and then distributing to teammates in good positions.

“We were solid in set pieces, managing to find the ball consistently in the air, with Chase Brault converting one for a score.

“Defense was great, again. They've been our most consistent group all season. B. Zimpleman, goalkeeper, has been outstanding for us all year.

“We saw a lot more from our wingers today, which I think allowed us to spread the field wider and ultimately led to our chances for goals.”

Caston led 3-0 at halftime. This game was both Caston’s home opener and senior night.

Argos 10, LaVille 1 (Tuesday): Teddy Redinger had a hat trick, and Michael Richard had two goals and an assist for Class 1A, No. 2 Argos in a rout of LaVille at Newton Park in Lakeville Tuesday.

Caden Nifong had a goal and two assists, and Jake Stults, Sean Richard, Connor Tracy and Wyatt Tanner also scored for the Dragons.

Gabe Stone contributed three assists, and Nifong had two helpers. Devon Allen and Cam Markley also had assists.

LaVille led 1-0 on Aiden Head’s goal in the third minute, but they never got another shot on goal.

Argos led 5-1 at halftime.

Argos (4-1) had a 17-1 advantage in shots on goal.

Lakeland Christian 2, Winamac 1 (Tuesday): Garrett McKeever and Brayden Lane each scored for Lakeland Christian in a road win over Winamac Tuesday. Andrew Bosch had two assists.

Winamac stats were not made available to RTC.

North Miami-Winamac pushed back to 6 p.m.: North Miami will travel to Winamac for a boys soccer game Thursday. Start time has been pushed back to 6 p.m.