Stephanie Sgouroudis has been part of outstanding Valparaiso teams.
But the senior forward believes this one possesses something extra, an almost indefinable quality.
“The chemistry is phenomenal,” Sgouroudis said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it — it’s hard to explain. It’s very talented, everyone is close and everyone is playing for each other. We just have to play the way we can in the game coming up.”
That game would be a sectional opener Thursday against rival Chesterton. The Vikings already earned a share of the Duneland Athletic Conference title, splitting it with the Trojans and Crown Point. It was their first league championship since 2011, when those three teams also tied atop the standings.
Valparaiso’s next order of business is to attempt to reclaim a sectional title. The Vikings last season had their streak of five straight, and runs of nine of 10 and 16 of 18, end with a 3-0 loss to Chesterton.
Valparaiso won the teams’ Aug. 23 regular-season game 1-0 on a Sgouroudis goal. But she realizes that result means little now, especially considering the Vikings won 2-1 last regular season.
“Whenever we play them, it comes down to who wants it the most,” Sgouroudis said. “Last year, they wanted it more. This year, we’re going to do whatever it takes to reverse that.”
Sgouroudis, quick to credit the Vikings’ defense, has done her part this season as a dangerous forward. To go along with six assists, she has 16 goals, one more than her total from last season, when she broke out to become the team’s leading scorer. As a sophomore, she played as a defender, an unfamiliar position for her.
Valparaiso coach Rob Cespedes wasn’t surprised by her emergence.
“She has beautiful touch with the ball,” he said. “It seems very natural, like it doesn’t come from drills. It’s just an extension of her body.
“She’s dynamic with her personality not only off the field but on the field.”
Sgouroudis played a limited role as a freshman in 2013, when the Vikings reached a semistate final.
“I didn’t get a lot of playing time, but making it to the final four was special,” Sgouroudis said.
Cespedes has seen her progression, even between this season and last.
“She has a lot more intensity to really want to go for the ball and challenge to get the ball back,” he said. “That’s another dynamic she’s developed this year.
“The willingness of someone with her ability to high pressure, that’s a great example for the younger players.”
Sgouroudis hopes to be one of those younger players next season at the college level. St. Joseph’s, Indianapolis, Illinois-Springfield and Trine are among her options.
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But she has more immediate concerns.
“We don’t want to repeat the past,” Sgouroudis said. “Everyone’s getting really excited for the game coming up, really eager. Everyone’s going to be hungry.”
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Top 10
With last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Valparaiso (1)
2. Munster (2)
3. Chesterton (3)
4. Crown Point (4)
5. Andrean (5)
6. Wheeler (6)
7. Highland (7)
8. Kankakee Valley (8)
9. Lake Central (9)
10. Griffith (10)
Player of the Week: Munster sophomore Adeline Andello had a goal and an assist Tuesday as the Mustangs clinched the Northwest Crossroads Conference title with a 3-0 win against Andrean. She also scored both goals Thursday in a 2-0 win against Crown Point.