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GOSHEN - One bad break capped a series of bad breaks on the season for the Warsaw girls soccer team as a handball call and subsequent penalty kick ended the Tigers' season.
In the 21st minute with Westview attacking Warsaw's net, a kick that got bounced around like a pinball, caromed off a Warsaw defender and gave the Warriors penalty kick.
Westview's Michelle Haney converted the penalty kick as the Warriors ended Warsaw's season 1-0 in the second game of the opening round at the Bethany Christian Sectional Tuesday.
"It was a slick field out there tonight and it was a slick ball that slipped through and had a bunch of people chopping away at it," said Warsaw head coach Mike Getz of the handball call. "It was an unlucky bounce. If that doesn't hit us and we get it out of there it may have been a different match."
Last season, Westview ended the Tigers season after a 1-1 tie went to a shootout. Senior Tara Miller's penalty kick pushed Westview past Warsaw.
This season once again saw Warsaw and Westview play even for a majority of the match.
Haney's penalty kick to put Westview ahead seemed to energize the Tigers. Warsaw controlled the tempo outside of a few runs by Westview and put constant pressure on Warrior goalkeeper Emily Lamkin.
Warsaw's Dee Landes shot a header towards Amy Durgin who controlled the ball and attacked Lamkin. Durgin got off a good shot despite a poor angle but Lamkin was able to dive and block the ball out of the net.
The Tigers then got an extra boost when after 30 minutes of first-half play without a substitution, Warsaw cleared off its bench to give the starters some rest.
The likes of Amanda Dustin and Carlye Snider were able to match the intensity set by the starters but were unable to translate energy into a goal.
In the second half, Westview's Eden Hostetler nearly made the score 2-0 in favor of the Warriors but was denied by Warsaw goalkeeper Brittney Pherigo. Then in the span of two minutes, Lamkin made two incredible diving saves to keep Warsaw from taking the lead.
"In the first half we outshot them 8-2," said Getz. "And we did the same in the second half. Their goalkeeper played an outstanding match. She saved a couple great saves tonight."
Lamkin was also able to withstand a push in the second half that saw the Tigers spend nearly the final 20 minutes of the match in Westview's end and firing off shots.
Warsaw outshot the Warriors 17-5 on the night while Lamkin finished with 10 saves.
Westview was also aided by defenders Becky Yoder and Colette Lambright's ability to show good recovery speed on the Tigers forwards.
The Tigers finish the season without a sectional championship for the second straight year.
This season for Warsaw was marred by a series of injuries.
Before the season began, the Tigers lost versatile scorer Kaitlin Cunningham for the year in a car accident that left the sophomore on crutches for the majority of the season.
Warsaw also lost senior Hillary Miller, who adapted nicely to the role of mentor for younger players, to injury as well.
During the season the injury bug continued to bite the Tigers at various points.
Senior Durgin and junior Abby Rankin battled injuries Tuesday.
But Getz and his team won't make excuses. While Getz was hoping that a regular season filled with misfortune would turn into some postseason luck, he realizes his team didn't make its own luck against Westview.
"I'm not making any excuses for us," said Getz. "We just missed opportunities tonight. That's the way it goes sometimes."
Warsaw loses four seniors from this year's team in Miller, Durgin, Jennifer Weingart and Amy Abbitt
"Of our three seniors that played, Durgin and Abbitt will end playing in college and do well," said Getz. "Jennifer Weingart really did a great job in teaching the younger kids what it was to work hard, have class and be good sports. Hillary Miller was here every match and practice and helped the girls on the bench stay ready and prepared."
The Tigers finish the season 6-8-3 overall.
In the first game of the evening, Wawasee got just its second win of the season with an 8-0 drubbing of West Noble. Brennan McAdams got the scoring going for Wawasee in the sixth minute and it didn't stop until the 72nd minute after Kylee Ort nabbed her second goal of the match.
Amanda Rensberger scored two goals for the Warriors while Haley Herr, Kelsey Angel and Adrianna Ganz each had a goal for Wawasee.
The Warriors, 2-11-3 on the season, outshot West Noble 16-1 and will move on to face Westview Thursday at 5 p.m. in the sectional semifinal. The winner will face the winner of Bethany Christian/Lakeland, which is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
WESTVIEW 1, WARSAW 0
Scoring
WV - Michelle Haney (penalty kick) 21st minute
Shots - Warsaw 17, Westview 5
Saves - Brittney Pherigo (Warsaw) 3, Emily Lamkin (Westview) 10
WAWASEE 8, WEST NOBLE 0
Wawasee goals - Brennan McAdams, Kelsey Angel, Adrianna Ganz, Amanda Rensberger 2, Kylee Ort 2, Haley Herr
Wawasee assists - McAdams, Megan Walker, Kristin Lemaitre
