Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw came into its home NLC match against Concord undefeated at 3-0 and things appeared early as if the Minutemen were going to serve as follie rather than foil for the Tigers.
Concord came into Thursday's match with just one win, and thanks to a second half surge by Warsaw, the Minutemen didn't get their second losing 4-3 to the Tigers.
Nate Salsgiver received a precise pass, attacked the net and sailed the ball past Concord keeper Jeremy Howard to put Warsaw up 1-0 early on in the first half.
Rather than lay down, the Minutemen laid out Warsaw with aggressive play, getting past the Tiger defensive backfield for two quick scores and a 2-1 halftime lead. Both Concord scores came from senior Rodrigo Kaczynski. While Kaczynski's second score appeared to be offsides no call was made. A shaken Warsaw team played Concord even the rest of the half.
At halftime, Warsaw coach Scott Bauer stressed being more efficent.
"I told them I wish they had taken care of their chances in the first half because I think we could have forced our will upon them," said Bauer. "And it would have been an easier game. But letting them go up 2-1 at half I told them it was going to be a dogfight."
Warsaw drew first blood in the second half with tremendous team speed.
Tony Perales, a sparkplug according to Bauer, used his speed to attack the middle and blow past Concord defenders to leave a perfect pass for a striding Salsgiver to tie the game up at 2-2.
Minutes later Jake Rogers put the Tigers up off a give and go with Austin Evans deep in Concords's end.
Warsaw nearly went up 4-2 after Jordan Quiroz pounced on a turnover by Concord in it's own end. Quiroz, who will be kicking for the Tiger American football team tonight, drew some American football-like contact and never got a clean shot off which allowed Howard to make the save for the Minutemen.
Unfazed by the near score, Concord used a 2 on 1 advantage to tie things up at 3-3 midway through the second half.
The Tigers had the advantage all night in terms of chances. Warsaw controlled the offensive tempo for much of the game while Concord was extremely efficient with it's chances.
Warsaw's abundance of scoring attempts paid off when Brian Kolbe received a pass from Perales to finally put the Tigers up for good at 4-3.
Concord was able to move the ball into Warsaw's end and put together some scoring chances but with a packed in defensive backfield and the goal keeping of Adam Churchill, the Minutemen could never convert. Churchill finished the contest with five saves.
Despite the loss the Minutemen did succeed in forcing Warsaw into a position the Tigers hadn't been in all year. Concord gave Warsaw a courtesy wake up call.
"I think that's the first time they were under that kind of pressure and saw the pendulum swing," said Bauer. "I think it kind of stunned them. But it was a good learning experience for us to learn what we're made of. At halftime we were able to regroup and come out in the second half and put together some pretty nice stuff."
Warsaw, 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the NLC, hosts Northwood Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the CCAC.
WARSAW 4, CONCORD 3
Warsaw goals - Nate Salsgiver 2, Jake Rogers 1, Brian Kolbe 1
Warsaw assists - Tony Perales 2, Rogers 1, Austin Evans 1
Warsaw saves - Adam Churchill 5
JV - Warsaw 2, Concord 1
Warsaw goals - Michael Reinholt 2
Warsaw assists - Alex Hall 2
