History suggests Warsaw’s varsity boys soccer team would lose to Fort Wayne Canterbury Tuesday evening. The scoreboard, however, said differently. After scoring in just over a minute of play and leading 2-0 at halftime, the Class 2A No. 6 Tigers beat the 15th-ranked and visiting Cavaliers 3-2. In the seven-year series between the two standout soccer programs, Tuesday marked the first time the home team won. In the previous six meetings, the visiting team won each time. “Canterbury picked us up seven years ago, and it’s been an outstanding rivalry,” said Warsaw coach Scott Bauer, who notched his 199th career win as a head coach. “We went 3-3 in the other six years, with the visiting team winning each time. It was nice to get a win at home.” With the win, the Tigers improved to 8-0-5 overall, while Canterbury fell to 7-5. Warsaw can give Bauer his 200th career coaching win Thursday when it hosts Northern Lakes Conference rival Goshen, which is currently ranked 17th in the Class 2A poll. Junior Tito Cuellar gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the action when he put an assist from senior teammate Matt Williams past Canterbury sophomore keeper Nick Bellavance. In the 15th minute, Williams assisted junior Manuel Rodriguez, pushing Warsaw’s advantage to 2-0. “Warsaw is just a good team,” said veteran Canterbury coach Greg Mauch. “They’re well-coached, skilled and organized. They’re going to go deep in the state tournament. They play hard. A team like Warsaw, you can’t spot them two goals.” The Cavaliers cut the Tigers’ advantage to 2-1 in the 59th minute when junior Jacob Fritz scored on an assist from senior Britt Watts. Warsaw, however responded quickly, and pushed its lead to 3-1 when Rodriguez converted a penalty kick. Watts scored the game’s final goal in the 64th minute. Both teams took eight shots in the game, with each team getting four shots on goal. The Cavaliers took three corner kicks, while the Tigers took two. Tuesday’s game was a matchup of state powers in boys soccer. The Tigers have advanced to the Final Four in each of the past three seasons, including last year’s state runner-up finish. Canterbury, a 1A school based on enrollment, is considered a 2A soccer program based on the IHSAA’s point system for tournament success. The Cavaliers have won five state championships in boys soccer, including last year’s 5-0 victory in the 1A title game. “They’re consistent year in and year out,” Bauer said of the Cavaliers’ program. “They’re the type of program we aspire to be.”
WARSAW 3, CANTERBURY 2 W – Tito Cuellar (Matt Williams assist) 2nd minute W – Manuel Rodriguez (Williams assist) 15th min C – Jacob Fritz (Britt Watts assist) 59th min W – Rodriguez PK 59th min C – Watts 64th min Shots – Warsaw 8, Canterbury 8; Shots on goal – Warsaw 4, Canterbury 4; Corner kicks – Warsaw 2, Canterbury 3 Records: Warsaw 8-0-5, Canterbury 7-5 JV – Canterbury 1, Warsaw 0 Warsaw record: 6-3-2
