Valparaiso’s Cayden Tefft has taken significant steps forward on the field this season.
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But even as Tefft has emerged as the Vikings’ leading scorer in his first season as a starter, the junior forward hasn’t turned his back on his roots.
“This summer, he was just like a brand-new kid,” Valparaiso coach Mike Enghofer said. “You could just see the confidence, and you could see the progression and the development, and now he’s one of our guys. I can’t say enough just how cool it is to watch that hard work get rewarded, and it’s not just on the field.
“He works hard in the weight room, he works hard in our fitness activities, he works hard at training, and he obviously works hard in the games. He’s become a guy that just is uplifting for our team with the little stuff — he’ll carry a ball bag if he has to, he’ll move a goal if he has to, he’ll pick up cones if he has to. So he’s not one of those guys that’s producing but then thinks that entitles him to be different. He’s very much one of the guys and like everyone else in every which way, except for the fact that he’s ‘Mr. Clutch.’ When we need him, he shows up.”
Tefft, who has six goals and two assists in seven games, played sparingly as a freshman but still chipped in three goals. He said he made a “big, big jump” on a senior-laden team last season. Although he didn’t crack the starting lineup, he earned significant minutes off the bench and tied for the team lead with seven assists.
“He was flashing last year,” Enghofer said. “You could see the early bits of what could be a really special player. We always had our eye on him and tried to stay the course and encourage him and give him positive feedback and make sure he stayed engaged.
“He was productive last year as far as being more of a supplier. You’re a little younger, you’re looking to feed some of those featured guys a little bit more. And this year it’s not that he doesn’t assist, but he’s found a little niche for us as more of a goal-scorer than maybe someone that’s doing a lot of work behind the scenes and providing for other guys.”
Tefft has struck a balance this season.
“I’ve kept that assist mentality, but I want to do what’s best for the team,” he said. “I don’t want to be greedy. I’ve kept going for those assists, but I’ve been able to make those runs and get through balls from Noah Barnett, Miguel Madrigal, all those key players in the midfield.
“I’ve just really been trying to connect more on the field. Having more confidence is the key. I’ve been training well, eating well, working out, studying film, sleeping well. All of those are factors to making those huge improvements and performing well.”
Indeed, Tefft has become more of a focal point for the Vikings (6-1, 2-1), who are ranked No. 4 in the Class 3A state coaches poll and had been undefeated until their loss to Duneland Athletic Conference rival Chesterton on Wednesday.
“It’s a little bit of a different role for him,” Enghofer said. “But it’s also some of his teammates identifying that there’s a little spark in his eye and he has that tenacity, and he’s just rapid.
“I mean, he can just fly. He’s fast as lightning, and now that he’s proven that to himself and to his teammates and to the staff, he’s getting himself more into those scoring positions than he would have when he maybe was deferring a bit more to some other guys last year.”
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Tefft is also a sprinter for Valparaiso’s boys track and field team. Barnett, a senior midfielder, has noticed that speed.
“That’s the fastest guy I’ve ever seen in my life,” Barnett said. “It’s a blessing having him on our team. If I overhit a ball, he’s there no matter what. If I underhit a ball, he’s still there. He’s just the fastest player I’ve ever seen.
“And his finishing, he has great finishing. He’s had some absurd goals for us.”
Those goals have typically come at the right moments for the Vikings.
“His timing is impeccable, too, because every time he scores a goal, it’s like when we need it the most,” Enghofer said. “The guy probably has three game-winners in only seven games, so half of our wins are direct results of him showing up. He’s kind of gotten the reputation of being ‘Mr. Clutch’ for us lately, which is awesome. It’s just been cool so far.
“It’s just been really fun to watch. He’s a kid that you’re really thrilled to see find some success because he’s just a good kid. His work rate is incredible, like he just flies around. When you watch him play, you just see the joy he has for the game. It’s cool to see kids like that get rewarded. He lifts the team, he’s a spark plug, and everyone feeds off his energy and his desire to go chase after balls and score big goals. That’s my other favorite part — he doesn’t let the big moments get to him. He just plays the game, even keel, just keeps getting after it and trusts himself and trusts his teammates. It’s just been really enjoyable watching him break out.”
Tefft believes the Vikings can challenge for the DAC title, given the conference’s competitive nature, and can be successful in the postseason. Their sectional title in 2024 was a breakthrough after not winning one since 2012.
“One thing I love about this team is that we never give up,” Tefft said. “We’re always in the game. We always fight. And another thing I also love is how passionate we are for soccer. We’re all friendly with each other. There’s no hate. We all love each other.”