Warsaw, Memorial Draw In Key NLC ClashWarsaw boys soccer coach Frank Courtois felt his team was the better squad in Tuesday evening’s Northern Lakes Conference match with the visiting Elkhart Memorial Crimson Chargers.
Class 3A No. 15 Warsaw evened the score with a goal in the 56th minute of the 80-minute contest, but for all the chances the Tigers had, that was the only goal they scored.
Still tired from playing two games Saturday, according to Courtois, the Tigers walked away from Tuesday’s pivotal conference clash disappointed after a 1-1 draw.
“It was very important to us,” Courtois said of the clash among conference frontrunners. “We played two games Saturday and they were dehydrated. They started right where we left off on Saturday ... they were flat, and not making proper decisions, and stuff like that.
“In the second half, they realized what they needed to do, and Garrett (Reinholt) placed a good ball for (Jose) Lara to give us the tying goal. We had opportunities where we did not finish. You’re gonna have games like this.”
Warsaw is now 4-2-3 overall this season, while Memorial is 5-3.
The conference standings are still very wide open as Goshen and Concord played to a 2-2 draw Tuesday night.
Northridge sits atop the league at 2-0, followed by Warsaw and Memorial at 2-0-1 and Concord at 2-1-1.
Goshen, NorthWood, Plymouth and Wawasee all have at least two conference losses.
“We are not happy with the tie,” said Courtois. “That would have given us at least a tie with Northridge for the conference, but now we have to fight and try and get something back in the four (conference) games we have left.”
Memorial scored its goal Tuesday when sophomore Mario Perez Alvarado floated a ball over the head of Warsaw junior goalkeeper Harrison Mevis.
“It was a shot that our goalie just misjudged, and it went over his head,” said Courtois. “It was a floater over his head, he just misjudged it.”
Warsaw tied the game in the 56th minute when senior Garrett Reinholt assisted junior Jose Lara.
“Garrett is a good strong player on the outside, and he took his guy on,” said Courtois. “He’s got a good foot, he placed it right, and Jose Lara is one of the leading scorers (in the conference). He timed it right and put it in the net.”
The Tigers are in action again Thursday when they host the Penn Kingsmen.
WARSAW 1, ELKHART MEMORIAL 1
(Scoring)
EM – Mario Perez Alvarado 23rd min
W – Jose Lara (Garrett Reinholt assist) 56th
Records: Warsaw 4-2-3 (2-0-1 NLC), Memorial 5-3 (2-0-1 NLC)
