Pena Scores Game-Winning Goal For WawaseePLYMOUTH – Though just a freshman playing in his first postseason game, Wawasee's Chris Pena scored the game-winning goal in veteran-like fashion Wednesday evening. Against the NorthWood Panthers in the semifinal round of the Class 2A sectional at Plymouth's Kindt Field, Pena broke through the NorthWood defense in the final minute of the 80-minute match, scoring with just 32 seconds remaining to lift Wawasee to a thrilling 2-1 win. The Warriors improved to 5-10-2, while NorthWood concluded its season with a 5-11-1 record. Wawasee coach Jordan Sharp admitted he was preparing for overtime. Pena's heroics, however, pushed the Warriors to their first postseason victory since 2010 and advanced them into Saturday's 6 p.m. sectional final against Plymouth (13-3). Plymouth, which beat Wawasee 5-0 last week, topped Culver Academies 3-1 in Wednesday’s second semifinal. “He lives for moments like that, and that's what I love about him,” Sharp said of Pena, who took his jersey off and ran around celebrating. “This was just our day, and it was good to see Chris take care of that ball. “Chris just got the ball and poked it through into space, and he ran onto it and finished it. I think I heard him yell Wooo before it even went in (the net). He was really excited about it. He's just a guy that wants to not only get chances, but makes his own chances. That's a special type of player. I did not expect to get a goal there, so that was great news.” The Panthers, who lost 1-0 to Wawasee during the regular season, wasted no time taking a 1-0 lead. In just the second minute of play, the Warriors were called for a foul in the box, and NorthWood senior Eli Aukerman made good on the penalty kick. Wawasee tied the game in the 46th minute as senior Carter Jones converted a penalty kick of his own. “The game was kind of decided on two penalty kicks ... they got one early on, and we got one later to tie it up, and then we put one away in fair play,” said Sharp. “There was a lot of fouls. It was chippy. I think it was a fair result considering how it went. It was very emotional, and it was exciting to see the guys pull through and get the result.” Wawasee had six shots on goal in the win, while NorthWood had three.
WAWASEE 2, NORTHWOOD 1 (Plymouth Sectional, semifinal) NW – Eli Aukerman PK (2nd min) W – Carter Jones PK (46th min) W – Chris Pena (80th min) Shots on goal – Wawasee 6, NorthWood 3 Records: Wawasee 5-10-2, NorthWood 5-11-1 Other semifinal: Plymouth 3, Culver Academies 1
