Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ARGOS - The team Warsaw beat nearly a week ago for the Northern Lakes Conference championship, the Tigers knocked off rival Plymouth again Monday, taking their first step toward a third straight Argos Sectional title.
After junior Nate Salsgiver's goal broke open a scoreless game in the 67th minute of play, the unbeaten and 20th-ranked Tigers added two goals in the final four minutes en route to a 3-0 win over the Rockies on Eugene Snyder Field at Argos High School.
Warsaw coach Scott Bauer said after the game he thought his team came out flat to start the game. Fortunately for the team and its fans, the Tigers didn't finish the game that way.
"I thought we came out a little stale," said Bauer, whose Tigers improved to 16-0-1. "We didn't practice Saturday. The kids had a couple days off and I thought that showed tonight. I think we came out flat and were a little rusty."
The Rockies had four shots on goal in the first half, while Warsaw had one.
"I thought we outplayed them," said Plymouth coach Chuck DeWitt. "I thought we won more balls, and I thought we were improved from the last time we played them."
The Tigers and Rockies clashed last Tuesday in Plymouth when both teams were undefeated and Warsaw came away with a 2-0 win and the NLC championship.
Monday evening, Plymouth lost just its second game of the season, a loss that ended the Rockies' season.
Junior Tony Perales assisted Salsgiver on what turned out to be the game winner in the 67th minute. Salsgiver returned the favor 10 minutes later, assisting Perales on a goal that provided some insurance and gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
In the 78th minute, junior Austin Evans assisted senior Bryan Kolbe on the game's final goal.
"Plymouth hasn't scored on our defense in 160, 170 minutes," said Bauer. "That's got to be demoralizing."
The win advanced the Tigers to Thursday's 5 p.m. semifinal game against Bremen.
The Lions upended the host Dragons 2-1 on penalty kicks in Monday's first contest.
Action continus tonight at Eugene Snyder Field, with Culver Military Academy and Oregon-Davis battling at 5 p.m. and LaVille and Culver squaring off at 7 p.m. Tonight's winners will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The sectional championship game is slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Though the only loss between Warsaw and Plymouth prior to last night was the one the Tigers gave the Rockies, Bauer didn't want to entertain questions after the game about it being, on paper, the sectional championship.
"We've got to win two more games," said Bauer. "Bremen is a competent side. I think CMA has to be pleased with the draw. It's not over yet, we've got to come out and play."
WARSAW 3, PLYMOUTH 0
(Scoring)
67th minute - Nate Salsgiver (Tony Perales)
77th minute - Perales (Salsgiver)
78th minute - Austin Evans (Bryan Kolbe)
