The way Corey Lopez is seeing the goal these days, Warsaw boys soccer coach Scott Bauer likens it to a basketball player in the zone. Already Warsaw's all-time leader in goals scored, Lopez recorded his second-straight hat trick Saturday night, as the fifth-ranked Tigers beat NorthWood 4-0 in the championship game of the Warsaw Sectional. "Corey is in rare form right now for a striker," said Bauer, whose team improved to 15-3-1 on the season, while NorthWood finished its season with a 11-7 record. "He's seeing the goal right now like a basketball player sees the rim when it seems bigger. He's seeing the goal really well." With his three goals against Culver Military Academy in Wednesday's sectional semifinal, and three more against NorthWood in the final, Lopez upped his season total to 27 goals and his career total to 83 goals. Lopez scored goals in the 40th, 71st and 74th minutes, while senior José Rodriguez scored in the 65th minute. "Part of our goal every year is to win the conference and win the sectional," said Bauer. With a 7-0 record, the Tigers won the Northern Lakes Conference championship again this year, and by outscoring CMA and NorthWood 9-0 they won their fourth-straight sectional title and ninth in 10 years. During their current sectional win streak of eight games, dating back to 2008, the Tigers have shut out the opposition in the last six contests. "I'm very proud of every team that has won a sectional for us," said Bauer. "Winning nine in 10 years is no small feat." In the win over NorthWood, Warsaw took eight shots on goal to the Panthers' two, and had three corner kicks, while the Panthers had two. Warsaw was whistled for nine fouls, while NorthWood was guilty of 11 fouls. Warsaw senior goal keeper David Johnson made two saves, while NorthWood junior Kyle Dijkstra made four saves. "I thought NorthWood played well," said Bauer, whose team beat the Panthers 6-0 on Sept. 13 but led just 1-0 at halftime Saturday. "They're well-coached, and they play with a lot of energy. I told the kids at halftime, it's good to be challenged like this. Being challenged like this makes us better." With their fourth-straight sectional title in the bag, the Tigers now turn their attention to winning their fourth-straight regional championship. Warsaw will play No. 20 Concord (16-2) at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Mishawaka Regional, while No. 8 Penn will battle South Bend St. Joe at 7 p.m. Thursday's winners will play Saturday at 7 p.m. for a berth in the Warsaw Semistate. "Concord is a very strong side," said Bauer, whose team won 2-1 at Concord on Aug. 31. "We went up to their place and won 2-1, so I'm sure they want to pay us back for winning at their place."
WARSAW 4, NORTHWOOD 0 First Half W – Corey Lopez (unassisted) 40th minute Second Half W – José Rodriguez (unassisted) 65th minute W – Lopez (Jared Stout assist) 71st minute W – Lopez (unassisted) 74th minute Shots on goal – Warsaw 8, NorthWood 2; Saves - David Johnson (Warsaw) 2, Kyle Dijkstra (NorthWood) 4; Corner kicks – Warsaw 3, Northwood 2; Fouls – Warsaw 9, Northwood 11; Records: Warsaw 15-3-1, NorthWood 11-7
