Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ARGOS - Without the services of starting goalkeeper Adan Churchill, it was an uphill climb for Warsaw the entire night Wednesday, a night that ended with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Elkhart Central in the boys soccer regional at Argos High School.
It was the hand of Churchill that kept the senior out of Wednesday night's action after hitting the post on a save try against Culver Military Academy last Saturday night.
Junior Steven Bradican filled in for Churchill in the first half and saw a barrage of errant shots by Central's Brock Welch until late in the first half.
In the 36th minute, a ball sailed down toward Warsaw's end and as two Blue Blazers converged on the ball, Bradican, who came out to defend, along with another Warsaw defender, watched as the ball bounced off the Warsaw defender and rolled into the goal.
Elkhart Central's Alec Purdie, who was closest to the ball, was credited with the goal.
The goal obscured Warsaw's aggressive first half play. The Tigers outshot the Blue Blazers seven to six with three shots on goal to Elkhart Central's two.
Warsaw's best scoring chance came with two consecutive corner kicks. In both instances, Nate Salsgiver sent a kick to Brian Kolbe in the Elkhart Central box. Both times Warsaw came away empty-handed, but on the second opportunity it appeared Blazer keeper Robert Campos may have been in net when he made the save, a play that was not reviewed.
Four minutes later, Salsgiver took a free kick from 30 yards out and bent a shot that went just over the goal and outstretched arms of Campos.
The second half was much like the first half for both teams. Warsaw controlled the tempo for much of the half with Central enjoying the scoring success. Salsgiver and Jake Rogers put two shots on goal in the first few minutes of the second half to no avail.
It appeared the second half momentum had shifted towards the Tigers. Unfortunately, the soccer gods weren't in favor of Warsaw.
Warsaw had its chances including another free kick by Salsgiver that sailed high.
In the 49th minute, the Tigers had a corner kick that bounced off Campos but was scooped up by the Blazer keeper before a Warsaw foot could get to it.
Tending goal for Warsaw in the second half was Justin Evans. Evans, a freshman who hadn't seen a minute of varsity playing time on the year, spelled Bradican in the second half.
Evans was solid in goal and was aided by a Tiger defense that stepped up with the absence of Churchill.
It was determined Monday that Churchill wouldn't be available. Instead of feeling pressure to step up, the Tigers came to the support of the backup goalies.
"It was more pressure on me to decide how to deal with the lineup," said Warsaw head coach Scott Bauer. "The kids did a great job of rallying around both keepers. I think (both keepers) did a nice job physiologically with the deal."
Despite Warsaw's numerous scoring threats, it was Elkhart Central who lit up the scoreboard. The Blazers essentially put things out of reach in the 65th minute when Purdie found Brock Welch on an outstanding goal past Evans.
Warsaw's last legitimate scoring chance came in the 67th minute when Drew Miles screamed a shot at the top of the net that forced Campos to jump and deflect the ball. In the process, Elkhart Central lost its keeper when Campos dislocated his elbow on the play.
It was the first time all year Warsaw was shut out and was also the Tigers' first loss. Despite the sour finish, Bauer couldn't have been more pleased with his team's effort.
"I'm proud of these guys. I think they picked up their level of play. I thought we had our chances, we dictated play in the first 20 minutes. We didn't fold under the weight of two goals against us, including an own goal, but these guys didn't quit. I couldn't be more proud of them," said Bauer. "This is just a group of guys the school and community can be proud of."
Warsaw finishes the season 18-1-1 with championships in the Warsaw Invitational, South Bend Clay Invitational and NLC.
