KENDALLVILLE - After scoring a school-record five goals in Monday's sectional opener, Warsaw Community High School sophomore standout Meredith Hollar didn't waste any time in providing some offense for the Lady Tigers Thursday.
Hollar needed just 24 seconds to put Warsaw's girls soccer team ahead of rival Wawasee in the semifinal round of the East Noble Sectional.Hollar also scored goals in the fifth, 13th and 80th minutes of play, as the Lady Tigers beat the Lady Warriors 4-1.
"She's always had the talent to play that way," Warsaw coach Dan Miller said of Hollar, who has nine goals in two sectional games this week after scoring 16 goals in the regular season. "Things have really come together for her."
With the win, Warsaw improved to 11-4-3 on the season and advanced to Saturday's 2 p.m. sectional championship game against the Westview Lady Warriors, who advanced by beating Central Noble 7-0 in Thursday's second semifinal game.
"Westview has a lot of speed," said Miller. "We're going to have to play our best game of the season to win. It's been a long time since we've won a sectional championship, and we don't want our season to end."
Wawasee finished its season with a 9-6-3 record.
The Lady Warriors played Warsaw on Oct. 2 and the teams finished the contest in a 2-2 tie.
Wawasee coach Dodd Cunningham felt like his team should have won their previous meeting.
Thursday's game was a different story, as Wawasee fell behind early and just seemed to be shell-shocked.
"We knew what to expect, and Warsaw came out quick and took it to us," said Cunningham. "That's probably the fourth time this season we've been scored on in the first minute. We've had the tendency to not be focused to start the game."
The Lady Warriors scored their lone goal in the 59th minute, as Mallory Rondeau finished her junior season with 30 goals.
While Hollar provided the offensive punch for Warsaw, sophomore Lauren Snodgrass had the task of marking Rondeau.
"A lot of credit goes to Lauren Snodgrass, she did a great job of marking Rondeau," said Miller. "We told her to stay with her, and the only way she was going to score was a free kick."
Hannah Cutshall assisted Hollar on two goals, while Emma Dickerhoff and Emily Williamson had one assist each.
Warsaw is in search of its first sectional championship since 2003.
WARSAW 4, WAWASEE 1
(Scoring)
First Half
War - Meredith Hollar (Hannah Cutshall assist) 1st minute
War - Hollar (Cutshall assist) 5th minute
War - Hollar (Emma Dickerhoff assist) 13th minute
Second Half
Wawa - Mallory Rondeau 60th minute
War - Hollar (Emily Williamson assist) 80th minute
