Tigers Avenge Loss In Big Way
Warsaw kickers beat Wawasee, advance to sectional final
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
Wednesday's sectional semifinal game against Northern Lakes Conference and Kosciusko County rival Wawasee, however, was a thing of beauty.
The host Tigers got on the scoreboard in the 10th minute with a goal by senior Edward Esqueda, and then opened the flood gates with a pair of second-half goals from senior Lucas Cone and another from sophomore Eduardo Calderon.
With the win, Warsaw improved to 4-13 on the season and advanced to Saturday's 7 p.m. sectional final against Culver Military Academy, a 2-1 winner over Plymouth in Wednesday’s second semifinal.
The Tigers’ victory also avenged a 1-0 loss to the Warriors on Sept. 26 in Syracuse.
“That's what I told the boys, everybody starts over at zero," Warsaw coach Frank Courtois said of his team's clean-slate mentality going into tournament play. “It doesn't matter (what you did in the regular season). That's why we played the tough competition we played ... Goshen, Canterbury, teams like that got us ready to play this tournament. Our guys really stepped up and believed we can win.”
Against Wawasee last month, the Tigers didn’t seem energized.
In Wednesday’s win-or-go-home sectional matchup, Warsaw’s effort was on a whole new level.
The Tigers came out aggressive from the get-go and set the tone.
“We have been preparing for sectionals,” said Courtois. “Our boys stepped up tonight and accepted Wawasee’s challenge. We knew from playing Wawasee not too long ago that they were very aggressive.
“I challenged the boys to step up and bring some energy, and we outplayed them tonight. I am proud of our boys .. when they could have lost their composure they stayed in the game and displayed character. This has been our message all season – Character Through Competition.”
The Warriors finished their season with a 5-11-1 record.
Wawasee coach Jordan Sharp said the tale of his team’s season was also the story of Wednesday’s game.
“It’s hard to say, it’s hard to put it on one thing ... I know the guys were pumped and ready, but at the end of the day, throughout this season we have not done well when we get scored on first,” he said.
“We kind of dropped the ball with that. I’m not gonna point fingers there, but that does hurt us. We’ve not ever really responded well to getting scored on first. That’s usually been the tale of how we’ve gone every game. That’s been a frustrating characteristic of our team this year.”
With Warsaw clinging to a 1-0 lead, though Wawasee never really threatened, Cone scored an insurance goal in the 49th minute on an assist from junior Pedro Monsivais.
In the 68th minute, Cone scored on a free kick on an assist from senior Brady Yeiter.
Calderon rounded out the Tigers’ scoring with a goal in the 72nd minute.
With his team’s season ending, Sharp must bid farewell to 13 seniors, six of whom were in the starting lineup Wednesday.
“I know these guys are gonna be heartbroken, because this was a group of seniors who love soccer and loved each other and would have liked to take it farther,” said Sharp.
The Tigers did not play CMA during the regular season.
Warsaw will be going for its seventh sectional title in eight seasons.
“CMA has a couple good guys up top, No. 10 (Mauricio Bailleres) and No. 14 (Adrian Juraidini) are play-makers,” said Courtois. “I mean, if we can shut them down, it’s up to us to come out and play.”
WARSAW 4, WAWASEE 0
(First Half)
War – Edward Esqueda 10th min
(Second Half)
War – Lucas Cone (Pedro Monsivais assist) 49th min
War – Cone (Brady Yeiter assist) 68th min
War – Eduardo Calderon 72nd min
Records: Warsaw 4-13, Wawasee 5-11-1
Other semifinal: CMA 2, Plymouth 1[[In-content Ad]]
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Wednesday's sectional semifinal game against Northern Lakes Conference and Kosciusko County rival Wawasee, however, was a thing of beauty.
The host Tigers got on the scoreboard in the 10th minute with a goal by senior Edward Esqueda, and then opened the flood gates with a pair of second-half goals from senior Lucas Cone and another from sophomore Eduardo Calderon.
With the win, Warsaw improved to 4-13 on the season and advanced to Saturday's 7 p.m. sectional final against Culver Military Academy, a 2-1 winner over Plymouth in Wednesday’s second semifinal.
The Tigers’ victory also avenged a 1-0 loss to the Warriors on Sept. 26 in Syracuse.
“That's what I told the boys, everybody starts over at zero," Warsaw coach Frank Courtois said of his team's clean-slate mentality going into tournament play. “It doesn't matter (what you did in the regular season). That's why we played the tough competition we played ... Goshen, Canterbury, teams like that got us ready to play this tournament. Our guys really stepped up and believed we can win.”
Against Wawasee last month, the Tigers didn’t seem energized.
In Wednesday’s win-or-go-home sectional matchup, Warsaw’s effort was on a whole new level.
The Tigers came out aggressive from the get-go and set the tone.
“We have been preparing for sectionals,” said Courtois. “Our boys stepped up tonight and accepted Wawasee’s challenge. We knew from playing Wawasee not too long ago that they were very aggressive.
“I challenged the boys to step up and bring some energy, and we outplayed them tonight. I am proud of our boys .. when they could have lost their composure they stayed in the game and displayed character. This has been our message all season – Character Through Competition.”
The Warriors finished their season with a 5-11-1 record.
Wawasee coach Jordan Sharp said the tale of his team’s season was also the story of Wednesday’s game.
“It’s hard to say, it’s hard to put it on one thing ... I know the guys were pumped and ready, but at the end of the day, throughout this season we have not done well when we get scored on first,” he said.
“We kind of dropped the ball with that. I’m not gonna point fingers there, but that does hurt us. We’ve not ever really responded well to getting scored on first. That’s usually been the tale of how we’ve gone every game. That’s been a frustrating characteristic of our team this year.”
With Warsaw clinging to a 1-0 lead, though Wawasee never really threatened, Cone scored an insurance goal in the 49th minute on an assist from junior Pedro Monsivais.
In the 68th minute, Cone scored on a free kick on an assist from senior Brady Yeiter.
Calderon rounded out the Tigers’ scoring with a goal in the 72nd minute.
With his team’s season ending, Sharp must bid farewell to 13 seniors, six of whom were in the starting lineup Wednesday.
“I know these guys are gonna be heartbroken, because this was a group of seniors who love soccer and loved each other and would have liked to take it farther,” said Sharp.
The Tigers did not play CMA during the regular season.
Warsaw will be going for its seventh sectional title in eight seasons.
“CMA has a couple good guys up top, No. 10 (Mauricio Bailleres) and No. 14 (Adrian Juraidini) are play-makers,” said Courtois. “I mean, if we can shut them down, it’s up to us to come out and play.”
WARSAW 4, WAWASEE 0
(First Half)
War – Edward Esqueda 10th min
(Second Half)
War – Lucas Cone (Pedro Monsivais assist) 49th min
War – Cone (Brady Yeiter assist) 68th min
War – Eduardo Calderon 72nd min
Records: Warsaw 4-13, Wawasee 5-11-1
Other semifinal: CMA 2, Plymouth 1[[In-content Ad]]
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