Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ARGOS -ÊWhen Warsaw and Argos met in the regular season at the CCAC, the Tigers and Dragons finished with a 1-1 stalemate.
However, when the teams met in the sectional semifinal at Argos Thursday night, they knew that the outcome had to be different -Êties are not accepted in the postseason.
The Tigers used their experience from the regular season to their advantage and defeated Argos 1-0 to advance to the sectional finals Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
"We got to see them earlier in the year," said Warsaw coach Scott Bauer. "That's good because you get to know the team you are playing after seeing them once. You get to see what kind of corner kicks they have and you know what do do to stop them."
And Warsaw (8-6-4) learned an important lesson when the Tigers hosted the Dragons (9-6-2) earlier this year.
"We figured they would have to beat us as a team," said Bauer. "This year, (Argos) did not have a really outstanding individual. Earlier in the year we learned that we could play with them. It was a pretty even match at our place."
The Tigers started the game strong. In the first half Warsaw dominated the field with its aggressive offensive attack.
"We came out really aggressive in the first half," said Bauer. "We were focused in the first half. We played better in the first half, we had better possessions and more shots."
With 13:51 left on the first-period clock, Warsaw's Chad Metz scored off a rebound to put the Tigers up 1-0. The Warsaw squad then held Argos scoreless for the remainder of the first half to preserve the lead through the first half.
In the first 40 minutes, Warsaw outshot the Dragons 10-3 and had six shots on goal to Argos' three.
But the second half was a different story. The aggressive Tiger attack gave way to a determined Dragon attack.
"In the second half, we were up a goal," said Bauer, "and we became complacent. We played not to lose, and when you play not to lose it gets really ugly."
"Argos came out and played well in the second half."
Argos took notes from the Tigers in the first half and controlled the ball in the second half of the game.
"I tried to tell them to find some in-between ground," said Bauer. "Not to take too many chances, but still work on our combinations and possessions. But they still got complacent"
However, Warsaw's saving grace was goal keeper Joshua Stork. After defending just three shots in the first half, Stork had to fight off nine in the second frame.
"Joshua Stork, our goalkeeper, had one heck of a game," said Bauer. "In the first half I think he only touched one shot, but in the second half Argos kept him busy."
The Tigers will not have much time to savor the victory. They will face 10-4-2 Culver Military Academy, which advanced by drilling 4-11-1 LaVille 8-1, in Saturday's sectional championship.
"We will work on our composure under pressure," said Bauer. "We will also work on clearing the ball."
ARGOS SECTIONAL
Semifinals
WARSAW 1, ARGOS 0
Warsaw goal -ÊChad Metz 26:09
Shots -ÊWarsaw 14, Argos 12
Shots on goal - Warsaw 9, Argos 4
Corner kicks -ÊWarsaw 6, Argos 7
Fouls -ÊWarsaw 14, Argos 19
