Wawasee Girls Win Soccer Sectional
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
GOSHEN - It took nine years to build the program, but now the Wawasee High School girls soccer team has arrived.
Saturday night at Bethany Christian, Wawaseee topped Kosciusko County rival Warsaw 2-0 to capture its first sectional crown since the program started in 1997.
The Warriors dominated play with the midfield combination of Kaitlin Cunningham and Francisca Hoffman.
That dominance paid off in the 37th minute. After a foul by Warsaw, Hoffman sent the ensuing direct kick just over the head of Warsaw goalie Katy Cutshall to put the Warriors on the board 1-0.
"That was a great direct kick," said Wawasee coach Dodd Cunningham of Hoffman's goal. "There was just enough on it to get it past the Warsaw keeper."
Hoffman credits the teamwork of the midfield for the success of the team.
"Midfield just has to work as a team and we did that," said Hoffman.
Hoffman and younger sister Chelsea Hoffman are in their first year at Wawasee after moving from Hawthorne Woods, Ill, a Chicago suburb.
The additions of Hoffman and Cunningham, a transfer from Warsaw, along with a crop of young players and tested veterans equaled a lot of firsts for Wawasee.
"We've accomplished a lot of firsts for this school this year," said coach Cunningham. "We've outdone any stat we've had. We didn't meet our goal of winning the NLC title but this makes up for it. Winning sectional is more important."
Warsaw kept attacking but couldn't free up top-scorer Abby Rankin due to Wawasee marking her.
Wawasee pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute after Cunningham drew a foul and took another direct kick. Cunningham launched a shot that caromed off a diving Cutshall. Chelsea Hoffman collected the loose ball and smoked it into the back of the net.
The Tigers looked to draw to within a goal when Rankin got a clear shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but a nice save by Wawasee's Kylee Ort kept Warsaw off the board.
"No one should leave the field with regrets," said Warsaw coach Mike Getz of his team's effort. "We didn't convert tonight but we left it all out there. Give (Wawasee) credit."
Coach Cunningham was quick to credit Warsaw for a strong defensive game.
"They played us a lot stronger than they did earlier in the season," he said. "They have some quality players on that team. I wish them only the best."
Wawasee's defense, one that has allowed just 15 goals this season, played another strong contest Saturday night in another shutout win.
Ort was solid in goal for Wawasee with four saves while Cutshall battled and ended with three saves of her own.
Wawasee outshot Warsaw 10-6 and earned 10 corner kicks to Warsaw's five.
With the win Wawasee moved to 13-2-4 on the season.
The Warriors are in action Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Goshen High School where they take on the host Redskins for a chance to play in the Valparaiso Semistate Saturday.
The Redskins are undefeated this year with a record of 14-0-5. Goshen topped Elkhart Christian 4-0 to earn its sectional crown.
While the Warriors come in as underdogs, the success this season has lent itself to a new way of thinking when it comes to girls soccer at Wawasee.
"This team has a new spirit," said Francisca Hoffman. "We just all came together at the end of the season."
WAWASEE 2, WARSAW 0
(Scoring)
Waw - Francisca Hoffman (unassisted) 37th minute
Waw - Chelsea Hoffman (Kaitlin Cunningham) 60th minute
Shots - Wawasee 10, Warsaw 6
Corner kicks - Wawasee 9, Warsaw 5
Saves -ÊCutshall (War) 3, Ort (Waw) 4 [[In-content Ad]]
GOSHEN - It took nine years to build the program, but now the Wawasee High School girls soccer team has arrived.
Saturday night at Bethany Christian, Wawaseee topped Kosciusko County rival Warsaw 2-0 to capture its first sectional crown since the program started in 1997.
The Warriors dominated play with the midfield combination of Kaitlin Cunningham and Francisca Hoffman.
That dominance paid off in the 37th minute. After a foul by Warsaw, Hoffman sent the ensuing direct kick just over the head of Warsaw goalie Katy Cutshall to put the Warriors on the board 1-0.
"That was a great direct kick," said Wawasee coach Dodd Cunningham of Hoffman's goal. "There was just enough on it to get it past the Warsaw keeper."
Hoffman credits the teamwork of the midfield for the success of the team.
"Midfield just has to work as a team and we did that," said Hoffman.
Hoffman and younger sister Chelsea Hoffman are in their first year at Wawasee after moving from Hawthorne Woods, Ill, a Chicago suburb.
The additions of Hoffman and Cunningham, a transfer from Warsaw, along with a crop of young players and tested veterans equaled a lot of firsts for Wawasee.
"We've accomplished a lot of firsts for this school this year," said coach Cunningham. "We've outdone any stat we've had. We didn't meet our goal of winning the NLC title but this makes up for it. Winning sectional is more important."
Warsaw kept attacking but couldn't free up top-scorer Abby Rankin due to Wawasee marking her.
Wawasee pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute after Cunningham drew a foul and took another direct kick. Cunningham launched a shot that caromed off a diving Cutshall. Chelsea Hoffman collected the loose ball and smoked it into the back of the net.
The Tigers looked to draw to within a goal when Rankin got a clear shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but a nice save by Wawasee's Kylee Ort kept Warsaw off the board.
"No one should leave the field with regrets," said Warsaw coach Mike Getz of his team's effort. "We didn't convert tonight but we left it all out there. Give (Wawasee) credit."
Coach Cunningham was quick to credit Warsaw for a strong defensive game.
"They played us a lot stronger than they did earlier in the season," he said. "They have some quality players on that team. I wish them only the best."
Wawasee's defense, one that has allowed just 15 goals this season, played another strong contest Saturday night in another shutout win.
Ort was solid in goal for Wawasee with four saves while Cutshall battled and ended with three saves of her own.
Wawasee outshot Warsaw 10-6 and earned 10 corner kicks to Warsaw's five.
With the win Wawasee moved to 13-2-4 on the season.
The Warriors are in action Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Goshen High School where they take on the host Redskins for a chance to play in the Valparaiso Semistate Saturday.
The Redskins are undefeated this year with a record of 14-0-5. Goshen topped Elkhart Christian 4-0 to earn its sectional crown.
While the Warriors come in as underdogs, the success this season has lent itself to a new way of thinking when it comes to girls soccer at Wawasee.
"This team has a new spirit," said Francisca Hoffman. "We just all came together at the end of the season."
WAWASEE 2, WARSAW 0
(Scoring)
Waw - Francisca Hoffman (unassisted) 37th minute
Waw - Chelsea Hoffman (Kaitlin Cunningham) 60th minute
Shots - Wawasee 10, Warsaw 6
Corner kicks - Wawasee 9, Warsaw 5
Saves -ÊCutshall (War) 3, Ort (Waw) 4 [[In-content Ad]]