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COLUMBIA CITY - What happened to Warsaw coach Brent Wildman is what always happens, or at least seems to always happen, when he is not watching the game.
This time defender Holli McGriff had his attention on the sideline, because she has a bum hamstring and she put her wrap on too tight. As he was adjusting her wrap, his girls soccer team scored, turning a 1-1 tie into a 2-1 win over Columbia City in Thursday's Columbia City Sectional game.
"When I turn away and look down, either we'll score or the other team will score," Wildman said.
But Wildman still could hear, and he could tell a play was developing behind him that would give Warsaw the lead. His daughter, senior Jodi Wildman, had the ball in the middle of the field and delivered a high, line-drive kick that flew into the net above the goalkeeper's head but below the crossbar, where she had no chance. Wildman scored the unassisted goal.
"Jodi's capable of that," Wildman said. "We've been telling the kids it's a game of one-on-ones. You have to beat somebody one-on-one. After you beat somebody, you achieve the opportunity for a pass or a shot."
Warsaw's defense eliminated Columbia City's opportunities, at least in the second half.
Brent Wildman, poring over his statistics book after the game, said one word - "interesting" - then closed the book.
Shots on goal had caught his eye. Columbia City had six in the first half and only one in the second half.
"Our defense was able to accommodate their breakaways," Wildman explained, "and (Columbia City) wore down a little bit."
Columbia City took the 1-0 lead at the 14:42 mark of the first half when senior Katie Stroup scored a goal assisted by sophomore Ashley Waterson.
In soccer, once one team scores, if the other team is of better or equal talent, it usually responds in the next five minutes.
Warsaw was no exception.
With just more than nine minutes left in the first half, Warsaw forward Jenna Rooney, at 5-foot-10 the biggest player on the field, tied the game with an assist from sophomore Kari Wildman, at 5-0 the shortest player on the field but arguably the quickest.
Jodi Wildman added the winning goal at the 29:12 mark of the second half.
Warsaw, which has had a girls soccer program for five years, has lost to Columbia City only once in those five years. Earlier this season Warsaw beat Columbia City 2-0. Even though the Tigers seem to have Columbia City's number, falling behind 1-0 had Brent Wildman concerned.
"There was a little sense of urgency because this year, we're not a high-scoring team," he said. "We're a two-goal-a-game team."
Warsaw will play No. 19 Homestead in Saturday's sectional championship game. Homestead, 13-6, blasted 3-14 Fort Wayne Elmhurst 14-0. The Tigers played Homestead in last year's sectional finals and lost 4-0. Warsaw has not won a sectional championship in its five years.
"We have played (Homestead) to 1-0 and 4-0 (losses)," Brent Wildman said. "Last year we didn't have the consistency of players across the field, and they found our weakness. This year, they are a very good program, and we are a very young program.
"We're gonna have to come up with some secrets."
You can bet Brent Wildman knows one already. It may not be McGriff, but maybe another player may distract his attention on the sideline. And while he's looking away, Warsaw will score.
"I oughtta keep my head down and my mouth shut," Wildman concluded.
WARSAW 2, HOMESTEAD 1
First half
CC -ÊKatie Stroup (Ashley Waterson assist), 14:42, 1-0 CC
WAR - Jenna Rooney (Kari Wildman assist), 9:19, 1-1
Second half
WAR - Jodi Wildman, 29:12, 2-1 WAR
