LAKEVILLE - Since they were freshmen, the LaVille Senior '6' have had the goal of wining a sectional. After rallying against Manchester for a hard-fought 2-1 victory on Saturday to win their first sectional title since 2017, the Lancers will now turn their attention to #7-ranked Westview in the IHSAA regional semifinal match on Wednesday, October 16. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Newton Park and will be live-streamed by clicking https://www.ihsaatv.org/LHSLancers/?B=1440836 After being part of both LaVille goals against Squires, senior Mikalah Kuskye talked about how special it was to celebrate the 1A Argos Sectional championship. "This sectional title feels so special because we have been so close every year for the past 4 years of my high school career," said Kuskye, who was credited with two assists in the sectional finals. "Freshman year we lost in the finals, sophomore year we lost in the finals, and last year (my junior year) we got knocked off early and didn't make it to the championship. "Our core group of seniors have been working so hard and we made it our goal to get it done by the time we graduated and we did. Mackena (Deason), Ava (Barrett-Heaton), Reagan (Mitchell), and I have been playing for many years together and we knew that this was an opportunity and we were going to make it happen. As for the team, I am so proud of each one of them and the effort that we have put in. I think the past couple matches have shown our resilience and how we never give up." To their credit, LaVille could have dropped their heads during the sectional round and turned in their uniforms. Nope, not this group. In the sectional semifinal against the host Dragons, LHS trailed 2-1 in the second overtime before Kuskye connected with Deason to tie the match. That goal pushed the match into the PK Shootout phase. Prior to the shootout, Coach Kevin Christy's club reviewed kick order, along with a couple tips. LaVille spent time in practice working on both the kicking and keeper portion so the team had PK practice. LHS won the shootout, 4-2 over Argos. In the championship match Saturday against Manchester, LaVille trailed once again, this time 1-0 in the second half. Once again, the Lancers could have given up. Not happening with this group! Christy's crew continued to pressure offensively and found a pair of through balls during two separate runs to score Within a 10-minute span on the game clock, LHS scored twice. Kuskye found Deason to tie the match at 1-all at the 50-minute mark. Then in the 60th minute, Kuskye connected with Macie Edwards to take the lead. LaVille then played tough defense over the final 20 minutes to claim the first girls soccer sectional championship in seven years. Since Saturday, the Lancers have been busy watching film and preparing for the IHSAA regional semifinal against Westview. Following Tuesday's practice, we had the chance to chat with Barrett-Heaton and Deason about the upcoming opportunity. "Preparation for Westview doesn't look much different than prep for any other team," said Deason. "We've watched their film, practiced and we've changed some things on the field with hope of a good outcome. Westview is a good team, they have great footwork, they can connect passes very well and they have some quick players. But none of that is going to stop us from doing what we know how to do. Our key to success is just working together as a team, creating opportunities, believing in ourselves and each other, and giving it our all at all times." Drawing along similar lines, Barrett-Heaton said, "Preparations for our game against Westview have been good and smooth. We have been finding the things that need work and ensuring they have improved. It is visible that Westview has good chemistry and their passing is short and quick. They work the ball up the field pretty well. The key to success in moving forward is about showing up and wanting it. When everyone is in the right headspace and we are all wanting the same thing, it makes working together the easiest it's ever been. Communication is the other key. Talking to each other is what builds trust on the field and that is a big deal in soccer, you have to be able to trust your teammates to be successful." So far in 2024, the teams have played three common opponents - Bremen, Jimtown, and West Noble. Westview is 2-0-1 with wins over Bremen and West Noble, while the tie against the Jimmies. LaVille is 1-3, with losses to Jimtown and two against Bremen. The Lancers defeated West Noble. Both teams have also had their share of neutral side matches. Westview is 4-2-1, while LaVille is 3-0. The Warriors are 3-1-1 in road matches, while the Lancers are 5-3 in home matches. Westview, known historically as a solid club, has won 7 sectional titles in the last 10 years. The Warriors also won a regional in 2023 before falling to Fort Wayne Canterbury in the Chesterton Semi-State. LaVille will be seeking its first regional title in girls soccer. The Warriors represent the Northeast Corner Conference (NECC). LaVille the Indiana Northern State Conference (INSC). The October 16 regional semifinal winner between #7 Westview and LaVille will advance to the 1A regional championship at Westview High School. The start time to be determined. Boone Grove (12-5) and Wheeler (11-5) face off in the upper-half of the regional bracket Let's Play Soccer ... 31st IHSAA GIRLS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT 1A Regional #7 Westview (13-5-2) v. LaVille (11-6) At Newton Park Coaches: Jesse Ward (Westview), Kevin Christy (LaVille) Live Stream: https://www.ihsaatv.org/LHSLancers/?B=1440836 Team Stat Comparison Westview LaVille Goals 60 51 Assists 47 35 Goals Against 0.703 1.967 Statistical Leaders Westview LaVille Goals 17 Morgan Riegsecker 22 Mikalah Kuskye Assists 19 Kelsie Ward 15 Mikalah Kuskye Goals Against 1.8 Amanda Hershberger 1.9 Denni Markin