MISHAWAKA – If their regular-season matchup was a battle, then Warsaw's clash with Concord in Thursday's semifinal round of the Mishawaka Regional was a war. In the rain, and on a soaked and muddy field at Baker Park, the fifth-ranked Tigers and 20th-ranked Minutemen fought their way through 80 minutes of regulation, 14 minutes of overtime and a penalty-kick shootout before Warsaw celebrated a 2-1 victory. "We knew Concord had improved," said Warsaw coach Scott Bauer, whose team beat the Minutemen 2-1 during a regular season game in Dunlap. "Concord is well-coached, and they were motivated to beat us." After the Northern Lakes Conference rivals played to a 1-1 tie through 94 minutes of action, Warsaw sophomore Gustavo Rodriguez made good on his team's fifth and final PK, as the Tigers won the shootout round 4-3. Corey Lopez, Xavier Arellanes, Jose Rodriguez and Gustavo Rodriguez made good on their respective PK for the Tigers, while Nick Wysong, Drew Wysong and Preston Jaenichen made them for Concord. Each team missed an attempt, sending it high over the goal, and Warsaw senior goalkeeper David Johnson gave the Tigers the advantage when he blocked Julio Solano's attempt. "When you're on the winning side, it's OK," said Bauer when asked his opinion of game's being decided by PKs. "But when you're on the losing side, you feel for your players, and especially for your keeper." With the thrilling victory, Warsaw improved to 16-3-1 and advanced to Saturday's 7 p.m. regional championship game with No. 8 Penn. The Kingsmen, who hosted and fell 1-0 to the Tigers earlier this season, beat Northern Indiana Conference foe South Bend St. Joe 2-0 in Thursday's second semifinal game. Concord, a team with 13 seniors on its roster, finished the season with a 16-3 record – two of the losses coming to Warsaw. "We're thrilled to win," said Bauer. I'd say we won the first 15 minutes and had Concord backed in, but I think Concord found their composure and started putting stuff together, and the rest of the half was their's. They probably could have had a goal in there." Warsaw scored first, as Lopez, who upped his season total to 28 goals and his career record at Warsaw to 84 goals, put one past Concord keeper Shayn Hambrice in the 13th minute. The Minutemen tied the game in 59th minute when Drew Vergonet-Jenkins scored on an assist from Kyle Brumbaugh. Warsaw had nine shots on goal to Concord's seven, and eight corner kicks to Concord's six. Johnson made six saves through the 94 minutes of regulation and overtime, while Hambrice was credited with six and teammate Brodie Kime, who played in the second half and also got the nod during the shootout, made two. The Tigers, who advanced to the state finals a year ago, are in search of their fourth-consecutive regional title.
WARSAW 2, CONCORD 1 (OT) Note – Warsaw won 4-3 in shootout First Half W - Corey Lopez (unassisted) 13th minute Second Half C – Drew Vergonet-Jenkins (Kyle Brumbaugh assist) 59th minute Shootout goals: Warsaw, Lopez, Xavier Arellanes, Jose Rodriguez, Gustavo Rodriguez; Concord, Nick Wyson, Drew Wyson, Preston Jaenichen Shots on goal – Warsaw 9, Concord 7; Saves – David Johnson (Warsaw) 6, Shayn Hambrice (Concord) 6, Brodie Kime (Concord) 2; Corner kicks – Warsaw 8, Concord 6; Records: Warsaw 16-3-1, Concord 16-3 Other semifinal: Penn 2, St. Joe 0 Regional final – Saturday, 7 p.m.; No. 5 Warsaw vs. No. 8 Penn
