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The Tigers survived Chesterton’s second half flurry to win their third Boys Soccer State Title.

While the Trojans kept the ball in Memorial’s territory most of the first half, it was Memorial’s Andrew Cross who found the back of the net first as he scored from 13 yards out in the 13th minute to give his team a 1-0 edge. Despite not having many scoring chances during the game, the Tigers made the most of their opportunities. Cross, a junior forward, scored his second goal of the day midway through the second half to give his team some much needed insurance. The goals were Cross’ 36th and 37th of season.

Chesterton would not go away quietly, however. The Trojans totaled 12 shots in the second half, and senior forward Owen Hallas finally scored a header (his 27th goal of the season) with 6 minutes to play to pull Chesterton within one. Memorial’s senior keeper Max Durchholz finished the game strong, though, and held off an intense Chesterton offensive flurry within the final minutes of the game to preserve the Tiger victory. Durchholz finished with 11 saves on the day. It was Evansville Memorial’s eighth appearance at the state finals, and their Championship run gave their team a record of 19-4-1. The Tigers are coached by Bill Veith.

The Chesterton Trojans, coached by James Sensibaugh, ended their season with a record of 16-4-2.

Chesterton's Owen Hallas Recipient of C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award
Owen Hallas of Chesterton High School was named the winner of the 2016 C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, for Boys Class 2A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

A two-time captain for the Trojan’s soccer team, Hallas was named to the Duneland all-conference team the past two seasons and also received 2016 All District recognition. He has helped lead his team to a sectional title each of the past three years, and he holds the Chesterton school record for most goals scored in a single season. In addition to soccer, Owen is a three-year varsity letter winner and team captain on the baseball team. Outside of the playing field, he is a member of the Heartland Church Bible Study Group.

The son of Rich and Stacy Hallas of Chesterton, Owen plans to attend Indiana University next year to study accounting and finance.

The IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, will award a scholarship for $1,000 to Chesterton High School in the name of Owen Hallas.  Since 1989, more than $860,000 in college scholarships has been presented to deserving high school students in Indiana.