FORT WAYNE – Apparently there’s no such thing as homefield advantage in high school boys soccer. At least not in terms of the series between Warsaw Tigers and Canterbury Cavaliers. The perennial state powers have played during the regular season the past five years, and five times the visting team has won. Their latest clash was Tuesday night, as the Class 2A No. 3 Tigers beat the Class 1A No. 5 Cavaliers 1-0 in Fort Wayne. “This is one of the biggest non-conference matches we play,” said Warsaw coach Scott Bauer. “It’s easy for the kids to get excited about playing Canterbury. They have a great program and we have a lot of respect for them.” Warsaw, a team that lost in the semistate final last year to eventual big-school state champ Crown Point, wasted no time Tuesday scoring against the defending small-school state champs. In just the second minute of the 80-minute contest, senior T.J. Hofer converted a deflection into what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Both teams had scoring opportunities after that, but couldn’t finish. “I think in the first half we had some good opportunities,” said Bauer, whose team improved to 12-1-1 on the season. “We got the early goal, and that allowed us to settle down.” Losing for the second time in their last three games, the Cavaliers fell to 7-5-1. In 14 games this season, the Tigers have given up just seven goals. Only once have they allowed more than one goal in a game – that being a 3-2 win over conference foe NorthWood. While Warsaw lost offensive standouts Corey Lopez and José Rodriguez to graduation, the majority of the defense returned this season. “Stephen Kolbe played a magnificent game in the central defense,” said Bauer. “Gustavo Rodriguez played a great game, and Michael Yantz was again magnificent in goal. My defense came back from last season, and we had a great goalie waiting in the wings.” Senior Michael Yantz made eight saves for Warsaw, while senior Chase Walker made four saves for Canterbury. The Tigers have outscored their opponents 41-7 this season. Bauer said Tuesday’s win “solidifies our position as one of the best programs in the state.” Warsaw will be in action again Thursday when it travels to Goshen for a conferene clash with the Redskins.
WARSAW 1, CANTERBURY 0 W – T.J. Hofer (unassisted) 2nd minute Saves – Michael Yantz (War) 8, Chase Walker (Can) 4 Records: Warsaw 12-1-1, Canterbury 7-5-1
