The Warsaw Tigers certainly had their chances Saturday evening. A number of their scoring opportunities, however, ended up being just that, opportunities, as the Tigers failed to finish at key times and fell 3-2 in a Class 2A boys soccer sectional final against the Culver Military Academy Eagles. “We had plenty of chances, but we didn’t put them away,” said Warsaw coach Frank Courtois. “That’s the way the game goes. “If you don’t put it away, and they get the opportunity to finish, that’s the way it ends up.” Warsaw, the sectional host, won just three games in the regular season but looked like a different team in beating Wawasee 4-0, avenging a 1-0 loss to the Warriors in the regular season, in a sectional semifinal matchup. Against CMA Saturday, the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute when sophomore Cole Voss scored on an assist from classmate Eduardo Calderon. Warsaw had chances to build their advantage, though, and just didn’t capitalize. After CMA junior Adrian Juraidini scored in the 38th minute, the teams went into halftime knotted 1-1. Junior Tomas Rivera started in goal for the Tigers, but left for a while after a collision with a CMA player. Shortly after he left the contest, Juraidini put the ball in the net past Warsaw sophomore Colton Wottring. A lot was being asked of Wottring, who had to come off the bench and enter a sectional championship match without warning. “We had a sophomore goalie in there,” said Courtois. “They (CMA) were taking shots, and timing wasn’t right, and they scored. Once we made that change with the goalie, they brought everyone up and they started building some confidence.” Rivera came back in the game, but the Eagles took a 2-1 lead when senior Mauricio Bailleres scored in the 47th minute. Warsaw responded, however, with the equalizer from junior Pedro Monsivais in the 63rd minute of the 80-minute match. With the game tied and with some renewed confidence, the Tigers had their eyes on a seventh sectional title in eight years. Not being able to capitalize on their chances, however, hurt the Tigers, and the Eagles scored the game-winner three minutes after Monsivais tied the contest, as Juraidini scored on a penalty kick. Warsaw’s team and coaching staff didn’t agree on the official’s call, a penalty in the box against Rivera. Courtois, generally soft-spoken and positive with his post-game comments, was upset with the officiating Saturday night. “That’s what I was telling the kids, when the referee has to play a major part in the game it’s frustrating for the kids,” said Courtois. “It seemed like it was one-sided. You touch them and they go down. We get cleats, and they don’t call the foul on them. I don’t know if he has something personal with Warsaw, but that’s the experience I’ve had with them before.” With the win, CMA advanced to the South Bend Regional, where the Eagles will play Elkhart Memorial. The Tigers saw their season end with a disappointing record of 4-14. Warsaw will return the majority of its team, something Courtois looked at as a bit of a silver lining. “We have a lot of experience coming back and some young kids coming up,” said Courtois.
CMA 3, WARSAW 2 (First Half) W – Cole Voss (Eduardo Calderon assist) 26th min CMA – Adrian Juraidini 38th min (Second Half) CMA – Mauricio Bailleres 47th min W – Pedro Monsivais 63rd min CMA – Juraidini PK 66th min Records: Warsaw 4-14
