Enciso Goal, Tiger D Move Warsaw Boys’ To Finals
October 6, 2022 at 12:36 a.m.
Enciso Goal, Tiger D Move Warsaw Boys’ To Finals
By Chip Davenport-
Warsaw’s Javi Enciso scored the games only goal at the 43rd minute when multiple Bruin defenders closed in on Tito Sanchez, who was lined up face to face with Northrop’s goalkeeper.
Sanchez – Warsaw’s career assist leader – made one of his trademark crisp passes to the left to Enciso for the Tiger score.
The Tigers and the Bruins played to a scoreless first half. Warsaw’s made adjustments to come out aggressively resulting in game’s only goal at the beginning of the second half. Warsaw’s
“We made some changes at the half,” Burgher said of Enciso strategically place spot in the play. “We moved Javi one of our most creative players up top. Tito – in the middle is so dangerous, so he took a couple guys on, and he was able to set up Javi, (who) was able to finish.”
Northrup, who finished their season 15-1, entered the match unbeaten and ranked #11 in the IHSAA polls. The Bruins had a handful of offensive weapons Burgher’s Tiger side needed to neutralize to survive and advance.
Bruin forwards Namik Mehic, and Miguel Gonzalez along with midfielder Jonathan Vidal customarily roll up their fair share of goals.
Warsaw goalkeeper Nehemiah Wright earned the shutout with lots of help from a strike of Tiger teammates.
“We knew they’re 15-0 coming in scoring a lot of goals,” Burgher said in praise of his defenders. “With (Vidal) in the middle, and (Mehic) up top we knew we had to stop them. (Warsaw defenders) Dennis (Hernandez), and Ryland (Smith) on our back line did a great job. We moved Julian (Saldivar) and Braydon (Bussard) to more of a defensive center to solidify (the defense). They did a good job with that.”
Warsaw seniors Nathan Dailey and Benji Rodriguez – the latter getting a lot of meaningful minutes off the bench – also contributed to the solid shutout effort.
The Bruins’ Mehic was afforded an opportunity to launch a free kick from 24 meters out with 20 ticks left on the clock. Northrup pulled their goalie to load the offensive set.
The stage was set for one final Tiger defensive stop, and Rodriguez was the man of the moment, deflecting Mehic’s free kick to assure Warsaw’s trip to Saturday’s finals match.
“Benji came in as a senior and gave some great minutes,” Burgher remarked about his role-player. “He’s comin’ off the bench and that’s a role he accepted. He did a great job. He was so excited about that.”
Warsaw will face the Homestead Spartans (2-8-6), who upset the 11-3-2 Columbia City Eagles in the later match. The Tigers defeated the Spartans 5-1 in regular season play at the TSC.
Warsaw’s Javi Enciso scored the games only goal at the 43rd minute when multiple Bruin defenders closed in on Tito Sanchez, who was lined up face to face with Northrop’s goalkeeper.
Sanchez – Warsaw’s career assist leader – made one of his trademark crisp passes to the left to Enciso for the Tiger score.
The Tigers and the Bruins played to a scoreless first half. Warsaw’s made adjustments to come out aggressively resulting in game’s only goal at the beginning of the second half. Warsaw’s
“We made some changes at the half,” Burgher said of Enciso strategically place spot in the play. “We moved Javi one of our most creative players up top. Tito – in the middle is so dangerous, so he took a couple guys on, and he was able to set up Javi, (who) was able to finish.”
Northrup, who finished their season 15-1, entered the match unbeaten and ranked #11 in the IHSAA polls. The Bruins had a handful of offensive weapons Burgher’s Tiger side needed to neutralize to survive and advance.
Bruin forwards Namik Mehic, and Miguel Gonzalez along with midfielder Jonathan Vidal customarily roll up their fair share of goals.
Warsaw goalkeeper Nehemiah Wright earned the shutout with lots of help from a strike of Tiger teammates.
“We knew they’re 15-0 coming in scoring a lot of goals,” Burgher said in praise of his defenders. “With (Vidal) in the middle, and (Mehic) up top we knew we had to stop them. (Warsaw defenders) Dennis (Hernandez), and Ryland (Smith) on our back line did a great job. We moved Julian (Saldivar) and Braydon (Bussard) to more of a defensive center to solidify (the defense). They did a good job with that.”
Warsaw seniors Nathan Dailey and Benji Rodriguez – the latter getting a lot of meaningful minutes off the bench – also contributed to the solid shutout effort.
The Bruins’ Mehic was afforded an opportunity to launch a free kick from 24 meters out with 20 ticks left on the clock. Northrup pulled their goalie to load the offensive set.
The stage was set for one final Tiger defensive stop, and Rodriguez was the man of the moment, deflecting Mehic’s free kick to assure Warsaw’s trip to Saturday’s finals match.
“Benji came in as a senior and gave some great minutes,” Burgher remarked about his role-player. “He’s comin’ off the bench and that’s a role he accepted. He did a great job. He was so excited about that.”
Warsaw will face the Homestead Spartans (2-8-6), who upset the 11-3-2 Columbia City Eagles in the later match. The Tigers defeated the Spartans 5-1 in regular season play at the TSC.
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