Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
GOSHEN - The question posed to them at halftime, Warsaw's varsity girls soccer players certainly delivered the answer.
Knotted in a scoreless tie with host Bethany Christian in Saturday evening's sectional championship, first-year Tiger coach Mike Getz asked his players if that was where they wanted their run to end.
The answer came in the form of a 2-0 Warsaw win, as the Tigers won their second consecutive sectional title and improved to 16-1-2 on the year.
"After being pushed around in the first half we showed some character," Getz said. "I asked the players, the seniors, at halftime if this was where they wanted to play their last game. They responded that they didn't."
After dodging some bullets in the first half, including one where Tiger freshman goalie Brittany Burgess left her feet and stopped a shot high above her head, Tracy Stump scored both Warsaw goals en route to the win over the Bruins, who the Tigers beat 1-0 earlier in the season.
"These teams match up so well," Getz said. "Look at their record and who they beat, you would say we would beat them easily, but their coach had them prepared. Our defense kept us in the game, our defense kept us in there. Brittany came up big and played real well."
Bethany Christian ends its season at 11-6-2, while Warsaw advances to Tuesday's Argos Regional against the host Dragons.
After the Bruins controlled the final 15 minutes of the first half, the Tigers came out and scored 11 minutes into the second half when junior Tracy Stump headed in an Ashley Kitchens corner kick, though three minutes ran off the clock before the Tigers were given credit for the goal.
Stump scored again with 5:43 remaining in the game on an 18-yard shot that went over the head of Bethany Christian goalie Melissa Gingerich.
"Tracy Stump just played a whale of game," Getz said.
The shutout was the 12th of the season and seventh in a row for Warsaw, which outscored its sectional opponents 17-0 en route to the title. The Tigers have now outscored their opponents 79-10 this year.
The most goals Warsaw has given up in any game this year is four, which came in a tie to the Argos Dragons, who the Tigers play in Tuesday's regional.
WARSAW 2, BETHANY CHRISTIAN 0
Warsaw goals - Tracy Stump 2
Warsaw assist - Ashley Kitchens 1
Shots on goal - Warsaw 10, Bethany Christian 5
Saves - Brittany Burgess (Warsaw) 4, Melissa Gingerich (Bethany Christian) 8
Records: Warsaw 16-1-2, Bethany Christian 11-6-2
