Tiger Kickers Looking To Get Defensive
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Last year was a historic one for the Warsaw boys soccer program. The Tigers won their third sectional in a row, finished undefeated in the Northern Lakes Conference to capture their first outright conference title and went through the entire regular season undefeated.
A big part of Warsaw's success was its formidable defense.
Goalkeeper Adam Churchill garnered attention from around the state as one of Indiana's premier keepers.
Drew Miles and Keegan McHose proved to be solid as a brick wall for Churchill in the defensive third.
Churchill is playing at D-I University of Southern Indiana, while Miles and McHose have also moved on to collegiate life.
The Tigers' plan to replace Churchill is the two-pronged attack of keepers Aaron Hammon and Justin Evans. Hammon, a senior, and Evans, a sophomore, will have added responsibility with an inexperienced defensive third.
Evans got the start in Warsaw's first game, a 3-0 win over Munster.
"He's a clean-looking keeper whose form is real nice," said coach Scott Bauer of Evans.
In terms of the NLC, Bauer feels like the top four teams are fairly equal.
Northridge also puts together a solid squad and is a yearly threat to take conference. Plymouth didn't graduate much from last year's squad that challenged Warsaw in the last game of the regular season for the NLC crown.
Concord enters the 2005 season as a team that could surprise people, according to Bauer.
The NLC is as strong this year as ever with the development of youth programs, and Warsaw may be the biggest example of that.
The Tigers' youth team, the Warsaw Wave, has produced some of the program's top players, and a promising crop of freshmen may be the Wave's finest group yet.
Leading the way is freshman Jesse Sharp.
Due to injury, Sharp moved from a swing player splitting time with junior varsity and varsity to full-time varsity.
"Sharp has wonderful instincts and balance for a kids his age," said Bauer. "An injury allowed me to give him more time, but it also exposed the fact that he belonged (with the varsity)."
The Tigers also have plenty of upper class talent. The trio of seniors Nate Salsgiver, Jake Rogers and Tony Perales combined to score more than 25 goals last season.
Perales and Salsgiver are speedsters with excellent ball handling skills, while Rogers is already proving what a strong leg he has as the starting kicker for Warsaw's football team.
Seniors Justin Schroeder, Adam Wishart, Chris Bammerlin and Stephen Bradican, along with junior Jordan Sharp, saw significant playing time for the Tigers' record-setting year last year.
Bryan Kolbe will be a player that will be missed on the offensive end for Warsaw. Kolbe was named All-District, along with a third-team All-State nod and is currently playing for DePauw in Greencastle.
The Tigers will see an improved out-of-conference schedule this year. Warsaw replaced some less competitive squads with teams like Penn and South Bend St. Joseph's. Both teams are former state champions.
In Warsaw's Invitational Tournament, the Tigers will host a tough Andrean squad, Fort Wayne Carroll and Lakeland Christian Academy. LCA has stepped up in recent years as a tough opponent. In a way, despite the fact that LCA isn't an IHSAA school, the Tigers and LCA have developed a rivalry of sorts.
Another reason for the schedule shift was to compete with teams further west to allow his kids more recognition. The shift has Warsw in the same district as schools from South Bend and Lake County.
While Bauer is hesitant to state concrete goals, he does believe his team can find success.
"If this team can find their form we can have a good chance for another fine year. It will fall upon the seniors to develop a culture of hard work in training and hopefully success will follow in matches."
Sectional play begins Oct. 10, while the tournament draw takes place Sept. 26.
AREA PREP BOYS SOCCER CAPSULES
LCA COUGARS
Head coach -ÊTim Yocum
2004 record/postseason result - 17-4-1; NACA champions
Key losses - Bemba Sylla, Charles Lee, John Wildman, Craig Wilson, Dan Yocum, Alexis Lewis, Scott King
Returning - Joel Frankline, Aaron Zuercher, Luke Stichter, Brian Blcoher
Yocum -Ê"Although a young team, the Cougars will be stronger than expected. Their confidence and unselfishness with the ball should lead to a succesful season."
Outlook - With the loss of so many players, including the transfer of Evan Pickens to Warsaw, the Cougars may struggle to challenge the Tigers this year but still should be considered a favorite in the Northern Indiana Soccer Conference.
MANCHESTER SQUIRES
Head coach - Dave McKee
2004 record/postseason result - 6-9; lost in sectional
Key losses - Dan Long, Nick Hippensteel
Returning - William Rhudy, DJ Brown, Tom Trinh, Zach Sievers, Josh Watson, Matt Winterrowd, Brian Hays, Sean Richardson, Ben Penrod Ian Pattison, Jimmy Preston, Klay Robinson, Carlos Lopez, Kyle Leffel
McKee - "We have most of our players from last year returning. Our goal is to be in every game, do better than last year an play good as a team win or lose."
Outlook -ÊWith most of their roster back and early season wins over Caston and Peru, two teams that beat Manchester last year, the Squires look to have an improved year.
WARSAW TIGERS
Head coach - Scott Bauer
2004 record/postseason result - 18-1-1; lost in regional to Elkhart Central
Key losses - Bryan Kolbe, Adam Churchill, Drew Miles, David Dominguez, Keegan McHose
Returning - Austin Evans, Nate Salsgiver, Jake Rogers, Tony Perales
Bauer - "If this team can find their form we can have a good chance at another fine year."
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Head coach -ÊKim Nguyen
2004 record/postseason result -Ê8-8; lost in sectional
Key losses -ÊAustin Kaiser, Chris Mahnken, Tim Polsean, Tyler Rondeau, Wayne Henderson
Returning -ÊChris Szynal, Mike Gunderson, Matt Granger, Ryan Beer, John Miller, Ben Brown, Brad Granger
Nguyen - "This is a young team with a lot of talent. Anything could happen."
Outlook - With a new coach and the loss of some experienced players, this young and talented squad may struggle in the ultra-competitive NLC. [[In-content Ad]]
Last year was a historic one for the Warsaw boys soccer program. The Tigers won their third sectional in a row, finished undefeated in the Northern Lakes Conference to capture their first outright conference title and went through the entire regular season undefeated.
A big part of Warsaw's success was its formidable defense.
Goalkeeper Adam Churchill garnered attention from around the state as one of Indiana's premier keepers.
Drew Miles and Keegan McHose proved to be solid as a brick wall for Churchill in the defensive third.
Churchill is playing at D-I University of Southern Indiana, while Miles and McHose have also moved on to collegiate life.
The Tigers' plan to replace Churchill is the two-pronged attack of keepers Aaron Hammon and Justin Evans. Hammon, a senior, and Evans, a sophomore, will have added responsibility with an inexperienced defensive third.
Evans got the start in Warsaw's first game, a 3-0 win over Munster.
"He's a clean-looking keeper whose form is real nice," said coach Scott Bauer of Evans.
In terms of the NLC, Bauer feels like the top four teams are fairly equal.
Northridge also puts together a solid squad and is a yearly threat to take conference. Plymouth didn't graduate much from last year's squad that challenged Warsaw in the last game of the regular season for the NLC crown.
Concord enters the 2005 season as a team that could surprise people, according to Bauer.
The NLC is as strong this year as ever with the development of youth programs, and Warsaw may be the biggest example of that.
The Tigers' youth team, the Warsaw Wave, has produced some of the program's top players, and a promising crop of freshmen may be the Wave's finest group yet.
Leading the way is freshman Jesse Sharp.
Due to injury, Sharp moved from a swing player splitting time with junior varsity and varsity to full-time varsity.
"Sharp has wonderful instincts and balance for a kids his age," said Bauer. "An injury allowed me to give him more time, but it also exposed the fact that he belonged (with the varsity)."
The Tigers also have plenty of upper class talent. The trio of seniors Nate Salsgiver, Jake Rogers and Tony Perales combined to score more than 25 goals last season.
Perales and Salsgiver are speedsters with excellent ball handling skills, while Rogers is already proving what a strong leg he has as the starting kicker for Warsaw's football team.
Seniors Justin Schroeder, Adam Wishart, Chris Bammerlin and Stephen Bradican, along with junior Jordan Sharp, saw significant playing time for the Tigers' record-setting year last year.
Bryan Kolbe will be a player that will be missed on the offensive end for Warsaw. Kolbe was named All-District, along with a third-team All-State nod and is currently playing for DePauw in Greencastle.
The Tigers will see an improved out-of-conference schedule this year. Warsaw replaced some less competitive squads with teams like Penn and South Bend St. Joseph's. Both teams are former state champions.
In Warsaw's Invitational Tournament, the Tigers will host a tough Andrean squad, Fort Wayne Carroll and Lakeland Christian Academy. LCA has stepped up in recent years as a tough opponent. In a way, despite the fact that LCA isn't an IHSAA school, the Tigers and LCA have developed a rivalry of sorts.
Another reason for the schedule shift was to compete with teams further west to allow his kids more recognition. The shift has Warsw in the same district as schools from South Bend and Lake County.
While Bauer is hesitant to state concrete goals, he does believe his team can find success.
"If this team can find their form we can have a good chance for another fine year. It will fall upon the seniors to develop a culture of hard work in training and hopefully success will follow in matches."
Sectional play begins Oct. 10, while the tournament draw takes place Sept. 26.
AREA PREP BOYS SOCCER CAPSULES
LCA COUGARS
Head coach -ÊTim Yocum
2004 record/postseason result - 17-4-1; NACA champions
Key losses - Bemba Sylla, Charles Lee, John Wildman, Craig Wilson, Dan Yocum, Alexis Lewis, Scott King
Returning - Joel Frankline, Aaron Zuercher, Luke Stichter, Brian Blcoher
Yocum -Ê"Although a young team, the Cougars will be stronger than expected. Their confidence and unselfishness with the ball should lead to a succesful season."
Outlook - With the loss of so many players, including the transfer of Evan Pickens to Warsaw, the Cougars may struggle to challenge the Tigers this year but still should be considered a favorite in the Northern Indiana Soccer Conference.
MANCHESTER SQUIRES
Head coach - Dave McKee
2004 record/postseason result - 6-9; lost in sectional
Key losses - Dan Long, Nick Hippensteel
Returning - William Rhudy, DJ Brown, Tom Trinh, Zach Sievers, Josh Watson, Matt Winterrowd, Brian Hays, Sean Richardson, Ben Penrod Ian Pattison, Jimmy Preston, Klay Robinson, Carlos Lopez, Kyle Leffel
McKee - "We have most of our players from last year returning. Our goal is to be in every game, do better than last year an play good as a team win or lose."
Outlook -ÊWith most of their roster back and early season wins over Caston and Peru, two teams that beat Manchester last year, the Squires look to have an improved year.
WARSAW TIGERS
Head coach - Scott Bauer
2004 record/postseason result - 18-1-1; lost in regional to Elkhart Central
Key losses - Bryan Kolbe, Adam Churchill, Drew Miles, David Dominguez, Keegan McHose
Returning - Austin Evans, Nate Salsgiver, Jake Rogers, Tony Perales
Bauer - "If this team can find their form we can have a good chance at another fine year."
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Head coach -ÊKim Nguyen
2004 record/postseason result -Ê8-8; lost in sectional
Key losses -ÊAustin Kaiser, Chris Mahnken, Tim Polsean, Tyler Rondeau, Wayne Henderson
Returning -ÊChris Szynal, Mike Gunderson, Matt Granger, Ryan Beer, John Miller, Ben Brown, Brad Granger
Nguyen - "This is a young team with a lot of talent. Anything could happen."
Outlook - With a new coach and the loss of some experienced players, this young and talented squad may struggle in the ultra-competitive NLC. [[In-content Ad]]