In the words of first-year Warsaw girls soccer coach Peter Lucht, Brooklyn Jackson has a nose for the goal. The Lady Tigers’ talented junior forward certainly did Tuesday evening, as she scored the game-winning goal with just under five minutes remaining. Jackson’s game-winner, which led the Lady Tigers to a 3-2 win over Northern Lakes Conference rival Plymouth, came on a rebound after teammate Elizabeth VanWormer missed a PK. Jackson’s quick reaction and strong leg helped Warsaw improve to 2-1 on the season. Jackson has scored six goals already this year – four in a season-opening win against Culver and two against Plymouth. “She’s got a nose for the goal,” Lucht said of Jackson. “She has a knack for putting herself in the right position.” Jackson gave the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest on an assist from junior Danielle Hutcherson. Two minutes later, Plymouth tied the game with a goal from junior Bailey Brown. A goal by VanWormer gave the Lady Tigers a 2-1 lead with 20 minutes remaining in the first half, and then the Lady Pilgrims knotted the score again when junior Kaydon Fosler put the ball in the back of the net. Both of Plymouth’s goals were scored at point-blank range. “We were a little lax inside the 6 (yard line),” said Lucht. “Both of their goals were at point-blank range. We’ve got to be able to defend our 6. It’s like in basketball, you have to defend the paint.” Plymouth got off 14 shots in the game. Warsaw senior keeper Abby Schue, a Grace College recruit, made six saves. The Lady Tigers took 26 shots. Warsaw had more opportunities in the win, but at times couldn’t finish at point-blank range. “We were unlucky in the first half,” said Lucht. “We had three point-blank opportunities we didn’t finish. Had we finished them, it would’ve been a lot different on the scoreboard.” Hutcherson finished the game with two assists, and Lucht also praised the play of freshmen Rachel McClelland, Julie Frazzetta and Breck Jackson. Tuesday’s game was the conference opener for both teams. “The NLC is no joke,” said Lucht. “The Plymouth coach remarked to me that the winner of the conference might not be unblemished. It’s going to be hard to go through the conference season undefeated.” The Lady Tigers play at conference foe NorthWood Thursday, and then host defending state champion Mishawaka Marian Saturday.
WARSAW 3, PLYMOUTH 2 (First Half) W – Brooklyn Jackson P – Bailey Brown W – Elizabeth VanWormer P – Kaydon Fosler (Second Half) W – Jackson Shots – Plymouth 14, Warsaw 26; Saves – Abby Schue (Warsaw) 6 Warsaw record: 2-1 (1-0 NLC) JV – Warsaw 1, Plymouth 0 Warsaw JV record: 1-0
