Neither team was expected to be here, but that doesn't matter now.

Warsaw (7-7-4) knocked off three-time sectional champ Carroll in the finals of the Columbia City Sectional to advance to the regional. Angola (5-6-4) won three games in the Westview Sectional, one more than it had in the regular season, and upset DeKalb 3-2 in overtime to clinch the title in just the second year of existence for the club. The previous year, the Hornets had gone 0-13.

These two teams are so unfamiliar with each other that neither coach even knew the other team's record. However, Warsaw head coach Corey Rose knows not to underestimate Angola.

"I know that we can't take them for granted," Rose said. "The teams in the Westview Sectional found that out. They're a scrappy team. If you give them any chances, they will probably take advantage of them. We're going to stick to our game plan that we had for the first two games. We're going to come out hard."

Angola coach Larry Clemens, on the other hand, downplayed his team's trip to the sectional by admitting that Warsaw is probably a better team than his Hornets.

"We're really inexperienced," Clemens said. "We've had some breaks go our way. We feel fortunate to be where we are at."

Rose was happy with his team's play at the sectional and feels that the Tigers are playing their best soccer of the season. However, allowing Carroll a goal late in the game is something that needs to be worked on.

"We went up 2-0, and I think we got a little lazy at the end," Rose said. "We got a little wakeup call. We didn't play as well at the end of the game as we had. We'll have to clean that up, because as we go further along, we'll play good competition day in and day out."

There are a number of reasons for Warsaw's improved play in the sectional.

For one, the Tigers played a killer schedule that definitely makes the 7-7-4 record misleading.

"We play top 20 teams day in and day out," Rose said. "I think that type of schedule has prepared us for where we are at right now."

Another reason for the Tigers sectional title is the play of goalie Matt Brown. Rose has been saying all year that he is one of the best goaltenders in the state.

"He always shows up early for practice and stays late," Rose said. "He always wants coaches to shoot on him more. He's just a hard worker. I think the coaching that he's got, not from me, has helped. He's worked out with the Indiana University goalkeepers and plays on some top travel club teams. All that, along with his work ethic, makes him one of the top goalies in the state. However, we have to have people who put the ball in the net in order to win as well as keep the ball out of net."

Trying to sidestep giving Brown all the credit, Rose also complimented the rest of his team.

"Along with Brett Dickerson, a four-year starter, (Brown) has been in a lot of sectional games and he knows what it takes to get there. We have three senior captains and what they do, and what I try to enforce, is just go out and do their job. If you try to do more, you get yourself in trouble and you get your team in trouble. It's a team concept."

Tied at halftime against Carroll, Rose looked into the sky and saw the familiar Tiger orange color in the moon. At that point, Rose knew his team had a chance. When told that the moon will be out again on Wednesday night, Rose replied, "I hope so."

Warsaw plays at 7 p.m. tonight at Columbia City against Angola. [[In-content Ad]]