Tigers Blank Jay County
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Playing their delayed semistate match with the Jay County Patriots Monday on Hefner Field at The Plex in Fort Wayne, the Tigers prevailed 4-0.[[In-content Ad]]"We were hoping to put some possession together and show our quality," Warsaw coach Scott Bauer said. "Jay County is a nice team and has a lot of nice athletes. They played very hard, we were just able to do some things we wanted to do."
What Warsaw wanted to do was keep the ball on the Patriots' side of the field. That feat was accomplished, as Warsaw attempted 12 shots on goal to Jay County's zero.
"They're back four is just so together and in sync," Jay County coach Alan Bailey said of the Warsaw defense. "They're also quick. I couldn't believe how fast they were to the ball. They do everything well, and their sweeper (senior Trenton Porter) did an excellent job back there. He was yelling at them the whole game. That's what it takes."
Along with a strong defense, a win also requires goals, which the Tigers also supplied.
After tweaking the knee that's already suffered ACL and MCL injuries in the Oct. 18 regional win at Logansport, senior Jesse Sharp was back on the field Monday, showing his importance.
"That was a game-time decision," Bauer said of Sharp's involvement in the contest. "He said it was OK. We asked if he was being honest, and he said, 'Yeah, I feel good.' We're just hoping it doesn't swell up and get sore before tomorrow. He just had this long lay-off, so there was some rust. We wanted to get him some time in the game to get that game-speed."
Playing at less than 100 percent, Sharp was still able to post an assist to Matt Franco just over five minutes into the match.
On two other occasions, Sharp appeared to have assists coming his way, but both times freshman Corey Lopez was whistled for an offside penalty.
Having the school's all-time leader in points and goals on the field also benefited the rest of the team, because Jay County opted to use sophomore defender Garrett Krieg to follow him around all night. With that defender occupied with marking Sharp, Warsaw senior Micah Price took advantage, scoring two second-half goals.
"Micah got enough room to make some things happen," Bauer said. "When Micah can turn at you, and run at you, he's a pretty deceptive player. He was able to find some opportunities and cash them in."
Up 3-0, Lopez was able to utilize his speed with 3:25 remaining, scoring his sixth goal in six matches, putting a lid on the 4-0 victory.
The shutout win is Warsaw's fifth in six postseason matches. Coming into the match at 18-0-1, it was evident that the Patriots had not seen a team like Warsaw on their schedule.
"Warsaw's definitely the best team we've seen - by far, by far," Bailey said.
The Tigers will now get another shot at the toughest team they've played all year in No. 2 Homestead tonight at 7 p.m. Homestead qualified for the semistate final by defeating Westview 2-0 Monday.
The 16th-ranked Tigers faced Homestead in the Fort Wayne Carroll Tournament back on Sept. 6. That match ended in a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation, with Homestead moving on in the tournament with a win in penalty kicks.
To this point in the tournament, Warsaw has outscored its five opponents 23-2, while Homestead holds a 24-1 advantage over its foes.
"They're a real quality side," Bauer said of Homestead. "We drew them earlier in the year at a tournament, which went to (PKs) and we lost to them. We like our chances, but we know they're going to be a challenge. Obviously, they'll be one of the best teams we've faced all year long. Hopefully we come ready to bring it to them."
The winner of the semistate bout will move on to Saturday's state finals at Kuntz Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis against top-ranked Evansville Memorial.
WARSAW 4, JAY COUNTY 0
W - Matt Franco (Jesse Sharp) 6th min.
W - Micah Price (Sharp) 50th min.
W - Price 62nd min.
W - Corey Lopez (Victor Sapara-Grant) 77th min.
Shots on Goal - Warsaw 12, JC 0; Saves - Warsaw (Will Brown, David Johnson) 0, JC (Adam Daniels) 7; Offsides - Warsaw 3, JC 0; Fouls (Yellow Card) - Warsaw 18, JC 11 (Trey Dunn, Lance Louth); Corner Kicks - Warsaw 11, JC 3
Records: Warsaw 15-5-2, JC 18-1-1
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Playing their delayed semistate match with the Jay County Patriots Monday on Hefner Field at The Plex in Fort Wayne, the Tigers prevailed 4-0.[[In-content Ad]]"We were hoping to put some possession together and show our quality," Warsaw coach Scott Bauer said. "Jay County is a nice team and has a lot of nice athletes. They played very hard, we were just able to do some things we wanted to do."
What Warsaw wanted to do was keep the ball on the Patriots' side of the field. That feat was accomplished, as Warsaw attempted 12 shots on goal to Jay County's zero.
"They're back four is just so together and in sync," Jay County coach Alan Bailey said of the Warsaw defense. "They're also quick. I couldn't believe how fast they were to the ball. They do everything well, and their sweeper (senior Trenton Porter) did an excellent job back there. He was yelling at them the whole game. That's what it takes."
Along with a strong defense, a win also requires goals, which the Tigers also supplied.
After tweaking the knee that's already suffered ACL and MCL injuries in the Oct. 18 regional win at Logansport, senior Jesse Sharp was back on the field Monday, showing his importance.
"That was a game-time decision," Bauer said of Sharp's involvement in the contest. "He said it was OK. We asked if he was being honest, and he said, 'Yeah, I feel good.' We're just hoping it doesn't swell up and get sore before tomorrow. He just had this long lay-off, so there was some rust. We wanted to get him some time in the game to get that game-speed."
Playing at less than 100 percent, Sharp was still able to post an assist to Matt Franco just over five minutes into the match.
On two other occasions, Sharp appeared to have assists coming his way, but both times freshman Corey Lopez was whistled for an offside penalty.
Having the school's all-time leader in points and goals on the field also benefited the rest of the team, because Jay County opted to use sophomore defender Garrett Krieg to follow him around all night. With that defender occupied with marking Sharp, Warsaw senior Micah Price took advantage, scoring two second-half goals.
"Micah got enough room to make some things happen," Bauer said. "When Micah can turn at you, and run at you, he's a pretty deceptive player. He was able to find some opportunities and cash them in."
Up 3-0, Lopez was able to utilize his speed with 3:25 remaining, scoring his sixth goal in six matches, putting a lid on the 4-0 victory.
The shutout win is Warsaw's fifth in six postseason matches. Coming into the match at 18-0-1, it was evident that the Patriots had not seen a team like Warsaw on their schedule.
"Warsaw's definitely the best team we've seen - by far, by far," Bailey said.
The Tigers will now get another shot at the toughest team they've played all year in No. 2 Homestead tonight at 7 p.m. Homestead qualified for the semistate final by defeating Westview 2-0 Monday.
The 16th-ranked Tigers faced Homestead in the Fort Wayne Carroll Tournament back on Sept. 6. That match ended in a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation, with Homestead moving on in the tournament with a win in penalty kicks.
To this point in the tournament, Warsaw has outscored its five opponents 23-2, while Homestead holds a 24-1 advantage over its foes.
"They're a real quality side," Bauer said of Homestead. "We drew them earlier in the year at a tournament, which went to (PKs) and we lost to them. We like our chances, but we know they're going to be a challenge. Obviously, they'll be one of the best teams we've faced all year long. Hopefully we come ready to bring it to them."
The winner of the semistate bout will move on to Saturday's state finals at Kuntz Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis against top-ranked Evansville Memorial.
WARSAW 4, JAY COUNTY 0
W - Matt Franco (Jesse Sharp) 6th min.
W - Micah Price (Sharp) 50th min.
W - Price 62nd min.
W - Corey Lopez (Victor Sapara-Grant) 77th min.
Shots on Goal - Warsaw 12, JC 0; Saves - Warsaw (Will Brown, David Johnson) 0, JC (Adam Daniels) 7; Offsides - Warsaw 3, JC 0; Fouls (Yellow Card) - Warsaw 18, JC 11 (Trey Dunn, Lance Louth); Corner Kicks - Warsaw 11, JC 3
Records: Warsaw 15-5-2, JC 18-1-1
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