Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE -ÊWhen the Warsaw-Wawasee girls soccer game ended in a 1-1 tie, both coaches were surprised.
Wawasee's coach Rick Shipley thought his girls played their best game of the year, while Warsaw coach Brent Wildman said his team did not show up to play.
Warsaw looked strong early as they kept the ball near the Wawasee goal most of the first half. With 30:11 still on the first half clock, it looked like Warsaw would take the lead as the ball sailed toward the Wawasee goal. However, Wawasee goalie Casey Rinker had other plans as she made a jumping stop to keep the score tied, 0-0.
Although Warsaw had control early in the game, the Warriors struck first, scoring the first goal. With 19:20 left in the first half, Wawasee's Abby Webb kicked the ball into the Warsaw goal to put the Warriors up 1-0.
Rinker got her workout the rest of the half as Warsaw kept the action centered around the Wawasee net. However, the Warriors persevered and held a 1-0 lead at the half.
The Tigers came out determined to play in the second half. With 30:32 on the clock, the Tigers had control of the ball near the Wawasee goal with a pack of Warsaw players ready to attack. However, Rinker struck again as she came up with the ball and passed it out of the traffic.
Warsaw refused to give in and kept kicking away at the goal. Tiger Jenna Rooney then scored a goal after an assist from Chelsea Boyd to tie the score at one with 30:02 remaining in the game.
That would be the last score of the game as the Tigers and Warriors would see more players leave the field with injuries than goals scored for the remainder of regulation play. In the final 30 minutes of the game, Wawasee's Abby Webb and Hayley Van Lue along with Warsaw's Chris Kurosky left the field with injuries.
The game ended in a tie, 1-1.
After the game, the coaches had two different takes on the outcome of the game.
"We underperformed," said Wildman. "We didn't finish at the goal. We cam eexpecting to win.
"I really have no comment, we were lucky to tie."
"This is one of the best games we've played this season," said Shipley. "Our girls were hungry for a win. I know our girls have a lot of respect for the Warsaw program.
"We had some injuries early in the season, but now we're getting back to full strength. We are also mentally stronger. We have also been working on our defensive strategy and our defense has definitely improved. I am proud of the way we played today."
Wawasee improves to 2-12-1 while Warsaw is 7-4-3 overall.
WAWASEE 1, WARSAW 1
Wawasee goal -ÊAbby Webb
Warsaw goal -ÊJenna Rooney
Warsaw asssists -ÊChelsea Boyd
JV Score -ÊWarsaw 2, Wawasee 0
Warsaw goals -ÊKari Castle, Emma Bean
