WATERFORD MILLS - As LaVille prepared for its opening round boys soccer sectional opponent, the Lancers knew a couple of things to be true. First off, LHS knew that although it had beaten Westville 5-0 earlier in the season, the Blackhawks would not be the same team Monday. Secondly, the Lancers knew they were not the same team, as well, playing much better defensively than last year. Finally, coach Keith Norman's club has continued to work the same game plan the entire season. In the end, Westville proved to be an improved team that gave LaVille all it could handle in a well-contested 1A Bethany Christian Sectional opening round match before the Lancers came away with a 2-1 sudden death shootout victory over the Blackhawks. "Westville has continually improved," said LaVille coach Keith Norman.  "They were committed to playing a good process of soccer.  Tonight we were presented with the challenge and met that challenge." When asked about what the game plan was against the Blackhawks, Norman said "The game plan tonight was to stick to the plan.  I know that seems boring, but all season we have been working on moving together, playing together.  We wanted to stay connected ... connected moving backward and connected move forward, so the whole team shifts up and down the field together vertically and horizontally.  We did a good job of that." Westville came out very aggressive early in the match and were determined to prove this wasn't going to be like August 21. Nolan Haddad snuck a ball into the goal in the fifth minute to give the Blackhawks some confidence and a 1-0 lead. The two teams stayed competitive for the remainder of the half with Westville clinging to the one-goal lead at the break. Following some adjustments, LaVille's Sam Sherk found the back of the net in the 48th minute to tie the match at 1-all. The match remained tied even though the Lancers pressured Westville's defense and goalie during the final minutes. Both teams had chances to score during the overtime session, but after 14 minutes the score remained knotted, sending the match to a shootout. After five shots from each team, each team scored three goals, moving the match to sudden death. In sudden death, each team gets a penalty shot.  If one team scores, and the other does not, the match is over. During the seventh shot, LaVille's Jackson McNerney tallied the go-ahead goal. On the ensuing Westville shot, the ball sailed over the crossbar and to the left to send the Lancers to their first opening round victory since 2019. "Today in the first half we lacked intensity to compete as a team," admitted Norman.  "So in the second half, you could say that the coaching staff worked to motivate them to get the tying goal. That helped us to get a tie through regulation, extra time and go into a shootout." Coming into the match with a pair of scoreless ties to close the regular season, Norman was pleased with the Lancer defense again against Westville. "I tell the boys before every training session, every game, goals happen," explained Norman.  "Tonight a goal happened. Our defense played fantastic. They stuck together.  We applied very high pressure at a very intense level for the entire 80 minutes (plus overtime) which allows the offense to have the ball more often so the defense does a selfless job and they've been doing it all season. The defense is keeping us in matches. They have stayed committed and aggressive." Then when asked about McNerney's match-winning PK, Norman noted the improvement in McNerney's game. "Jackson has worked physically and mentally this year to put himself in position to win games," concluded Norman.  "He nearly did that near the end of time ... he was the one that nearly scored the goal and then he stepped up as the seventh shot taker which is no small feat. Five guys already (kicked) and now he's being asked to come off the bench and take the shot and he does.  That is mental. This penalty shootout is mental." LaVille improved to 6-8-2 overall and will face Elkhart Christian Academy (5-9-2) in the first semifinal match at 5:30 p.m.  The second semifinal match will feature Trinity Greenlawn (10-6-1) against the host Bruins (10-3-4). LAVILLE 2, WESTVILLE 1 (PK Shootout) At Waterford Mills Score By Halves Westville 1 0 0 0 - 1 LaVille 0 1 0 0 - 1 PK Shootout Round 1 Westville 3, LaVille 3 PK Sudden Death LaVille 1 (Jackson McNerney), Westville 0 Next Match: LaVille v. Elkhart Christian Academy Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m.