GOSHEN - Playing some of its best ball going into the sectional, Warsaw's girls soccer team didn't bring its best Monday against the Westview Warriors.
Losing the opening game of the Bethany Christian Sectional 2-0, the Tigers only managed one shot on goal."For whatever reason, it just didn't come together for us," Warsaw first-year coach Dan Miller said. "I'm not sure why. Our passing wasn't as strong as it's been in the past. Westview played well, played hard and they're a good team. We just didn't come with the same type of energy we have been playing with."
Throughout the entire game, Warsaw struggled to get through the Warriors' defense.
The Tigers did have a chance at an early goal, but a shot by senior Jocelyn Evans went just wide of the goal midway through the first half.
That Warsaw attempt was close, but the Warriors actually had two even better shots in the first half. However, a one-on-one attempt went left of the goal in the 35th minute, while another was saved by Warsaw sophomore goalkeeper Diana Monroy with 1:40 remaining in the half.
"Initially, they came on strong, not allowing our offense to get into sync," Westview coach Chuck Christner said.
That offense did start clicking in the second half.
Just over two minutes after halftime, Westview junior Amanda Hunsberger scored off an assist from junior Olivia Fought, hitting the post, then somehow spinning backward into the goal.
Trailing 1-0, the Tigers had their hopes dashed when Westview sophomore Candice Stutzman outran two Warsaw defenders to score on a one-on-one attempt with 16:30 remaining.
"We knew they were more of a counter-attacking team," Miller said of the 13-3-1 Warriors. "They would really try to push those forwards. They were fast and aggressive, we just weren't able to stop them."
Up 2-0, the Westview defense didn't relax.
Each time it appeared Warsaw may be able to push the ball up the field, a Westview defender was always there to thwart the attack.
"Kelsi Schwartz, our center defender, just did an outstanding job," Christner said.
"We were fortunate to finish a couple (goals)," he added. "Our defense held really strong, which I was pleased with."
Making the task of scoring on the Westview defense even tougher was the absence of junior forward Emily Hickerson, who missed the majority of the second half with a hamstring injury.
"She started the game with a little bit of a pull," Miller said. "She just tried to play through it. She was in-and-out the first half, then in the second half, I had to pull her out. That was a blow, because she's a big part of our offense."
Warsaw's second attempt at a goal was snuffed out when another Evans shot was pinned against the crossbar by Westview senior goalkeeper Alyssa Christner with 36:30 remaining in the game.
With goals being hard to come by, the Tigers ended their season with a 6-6-4 record.
The loss ends high school careers for a number of Warsaw seniors, many of whom were emotional following the loss.
"I wish I had a couple more years with them, I really do," Miller said about the senior class. "They've meant a lot to this program. They've gone through a lot with a coaching change, but responded well to that. I couldn't ask for better girls."
Westview will play NorthWood, a 1-0 winner over Bethany Christian, Thursday at 5 p.m.
WESTVIEW 2, WARSAW 0
Westview - Amanda Hunsberger (Olivia Fought) 53rd min.
