Warsaw advances to sectional semifinal with thrilling 2-1 win in PKs
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
PLYMOUTH – The story had a different twist this time, but for Warsaw’s varsity boys soccer team the end result was the same. A year after opening sectional play with a thrilling win over Culver Academy, a game in which the Tigers rallied from a 3-0 deficit at home, Warsaw stunned the Eagles again – this time with a 2-1 win Monday night in the opening round of the Plymouth Sectional. In keeping their season alive, as well as their hopes of a seventh-straight sectional championship, all the Tigers needed was 80 minutes of regulation, two seven-minute overtime periods and a penalty kick round. “We have to finish hard,” said interim head coach Frank Courtois. “That’s what I’ve been telling the kids. We have to finish or that’s what happens.” What happened was senior Caleb Klusman put the Tigers up 1-0 with a 25-yard boot in the 24th minute. Despite the Eagles having a number of chances to put the ball in the net, the score stood in Warsaw’s favor until the final minute of regulation. Following a corner kick, there was a flurry of action as the final seconds ticked off the clock and Culver Academy junior Nicholas Bissonnette slipped a shot past Warsaw keeper Peyton Long to send the game into overtime. “We made several mistakes and didn’t get the ball,” Courtois said of the play that led to the Eagles’ lone goal. “That’s why I tell the kids we have to finish.” In the penalty kick round, Warsaw senior Sam Allbritten struck first, while the Eagles’ Adrian Juraidini came through with the equalizer on his team’s first attempt. Both Warsaw and Culver Academy were off the mark on their next attempt, with the Tigers’ shot hitting the crossbar and the Eagles’ attempt sailing high. Senior Romeo Rosales made good on Warsaw’s next attempt, as did Culver Academy junior Dominic Puzevic. Senior Tito Cuellar, playing after missing Thursday’s 5-0 loss to Northridge in the regular season finale with a knee injury, converted the Tigers’ next attempt. On the Eagles’ next shot, Long came through with the save his team needed, thwarting junior Mauricio Bailleres’ kick. With the advantage in Warsaw’s favor again, Klusman put the ball in the lower right corner past Culver Academy keeper Michael Wright, giving the Tigers the win. “Let me tell you about the nerves I have as a coach,” Courtois said when asked about the pressure of a penalty kick round. “That first goal ... I can’t watch, it’s a very nervous feeling. As player, it is very difficult. You have a 99 percent chance to make it.” A two-year starter in net, Long came through with the same type of heroics he did when his team won a penalty kick round in the regional last year. “With experience, there’s not a lot of nerves,” said Long, as players celebrated with their parents, coaches and fans. “I try to stay confident and save one. I’m confident in my shooters, I just try and come through for them with one save.” Long did just that, and as a result Warsaw improved to 7-5-5 and advanced to Wednesday’s 7 p.m. semifinal game against the host Rockies. The Eagles, who had won seven of their past eight games, finished the season with a 13-5 record. “He’s awesome,” Courtois said of his keeper. “He’s good at this, and I have confidence that he’s going to stop at least one. He stepped up for us.” Warsaw and Plymouth played to a 3-3 draw in the regular season. Wednesday’s winner will advance to Saturday’s 6 p.m. sectional final against either NorthWood or Wawasee, who square off in Wednesday’s first semifinal at 5 p.m.
WARSAW 2, CULVER ACADEMY 1 (PKs) (2A Plymouth Sectional) W – Caleb Klusman (Brad O’Cock assist) 24th min CA – Nicholas Bissonnette 80th min Shots on goal – Warsaw 2, Culver Academy 5; Saves – Peyton Long (War) 4, Michael Wright (CA) 1 Records: Warsaw 7-5-5, Culver Academy 13-5 Semifinals: NorthWood vs Wawasee, 5 p.m. Wednesday; Warsaw vs Plymouth, 7 p.m. Wednesday
