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It took the Tigers two overtimes and penalty kicks just to advance to the final of its Warsaw Invitational Saturday.
Warsaw played to a 0-0 tie with Carroll in the first match of the day before winning in a shootout. The Tigers, who had less then an hour's rest after the Carroll match, saved the dramatics in the championship against LCA, winning 4-0.
LCA disposed of Andrean in the opening round, 3-2. Bemba Sylla scored two goals to lead the Cougars.
Andrean jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Andy Masteller scored the first of his two goals in the ninth minute. Charles Lee found Sylla in the 22nd minute to tie the score at 1-1. Sylla put the Cougars in the lead in the 39th minute with a penalty kick. After Masteller's second goal, Craig Wilson broke free and broke the tie in the 77th minute to advance Lakeland to the championship game.
The Tigers had opportunities in their first game against Carroll but couldn't get past Charger goalie Matt Myers. Two overtimes later, the Tigers found themselves in a shootout. Jordan Quiroz, Jordan Sharp and Tony Perales nailed the first three kicks in the shootout, while Carroll's Mike Roberts and Nick Anderson overshot the net. Up 3-1, senior Bryan Kolbe sent Warsaw into the championship, sailing a low line drive past the outstretched arms of Myers.
Thanks to the two overtimes and penalty kicks, Warsaw had less than an hour to rest up before having to be back on the pitch against LCA.
Kolbe looked to be starting where he left off in the 10th minute against LCA when he put his foot into a ball but was rebuffed by LCA keeper, Scott King. King was busy minding the net, saving 10 shots on the day.
Warsaw broke into the scoring column when Tony Perales sailed a shot past King in the 22nd minute to put the Tigers up 1-0.
The Tigers lead was extended in the 47th minute when Austin Evans found Drew Miles to make the score 2-0.
LCA played Warsaw even the rest of the match until the waning minutes.
While LCA was able to defend the Tigers, the Cougars couldn't get much going on offense.
Warsaw's Adam Churchill needed just two saves for the shutout. LCA had just five shots on the day. The Tigers were able to key in on LCA's Sylla most of the match, not allowing him to get a clean shot on Churchill.
For Warsaw coach Scott Bauer, the defense on Sylla helped the Warsaw offense.
"Lakeland is a very good team. I just think our midfield of Bryan Kolbe, Austin Evans and Jordan Sharp did a good job of marking Bemba. They did a wonderful job setting the tempo of the game and basically set the table for the strikers to have all their chances," said Bauer.
Evans and Kolbe each scored a goal late, giving Warsaw the 4-0 win.
Kolbe ended the day with MVP honors for the tournament.
On the other side, Lakeland coach Tim Yocum was pleased with the day as a whole but believes his team hasn't played it's best soccer yet.
"I thought the guys played a better game against Andrean. Warsaw is a very strong team. They controlled the game. It didn't help that we let a few goals in the last few minutes. Against Andrean, I thought we controlled the tempo. I thought we were in control but we've had to score three or four goals all year but we have kind of a young defense this year," said Yocum
Warsaw, 6-0, travels to Northwood Tuesday at 6 p.m.
WARSAW 4, LCA 0
(Scoring)
W - Tony Perales (Drew Miles) 21st minute
W - Drew Miles (Austin Evans) 47th minute
W - Austin Evans (unassisted) 79th minute
W - Bryan Koble (Justin Schroeder) 80th minute
Shots/Corners - LCA 5/2, Warsaw 24/3
Saves - Scott King 10 (LCA), Adam Churchill 2
