PREP GIRLS SOCCER: 1A No. 1 Westview strong in 3-2 loss at 3A Warsaw
· Yahoo Sports
WARSAW — Westview faced a few challenges Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Warsaw Tiger Soccer Complex.
Not only was the heat index at or above 90 degrees for the afternoon match, but the Class 1A No. 1 Warriors were facing a strong Class 3A Tigers team who was coming off a 2-1 loss at 3A No. 2 Homestead. Westview battled for the entire match but ultimately fell, 3-2, dropping its record to 6-2 on the season.
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“We knew Warsaw was going to play possession with us in the middle,” Westview head coach Drew Ryall said. “(Senior) Olivia (Bontrager), (junior) Makenna (Bender) and (junior) Josie (Ryall) tend to dominate the middle, but we knew Warsaw was going to have their way a little bit more today than other teams we’ve played.
“We were really pleased with our defensive shape and communication and making it really hard on (the Tigers).”
The Warriors scored first when sophomore goalkeeper Breanna Garrett — making her first career varsity start — sent a long punt that freshman Kierra Roose ended up putting in the net in the 5th minute.
Warsaw’s first two goals came on penalty kicks — senior Amy Escutia in the 14th minute and junior Evie Pepper in the 55th.
It was 2-all when Westview senior Marilyn Yoder took a through-ball pass from Bender and slipped it past Tiger senior goalkeeper Adrianna Gonzalez in the 64th minute. It was just the second shot on goal of the afternoon for the Warriors.
“Our speed on the outside gives us a lot of potential to score some goals against good teams,” Drew Ryall said. “That’s starting to come together.
“I’d like to see us try to play our goal a little bit more. We were more defensive-oriented and played a little more safe.
“During the end of the game, we started to possess the ball a lot more and move it around the 18 a lot better. I was really proud of our girls for staying in that (system) and seeing if they could get their stuff against a really good team. That’s the standard.”
Captain Bontrager, who was a defensive midfielder Saturday, said her squad was looking to counter-attack.
“We just played really strong today,” Bontrager said. “All the girls were playing their best.
“Some people who didn’t play as much before played more because of the heat and they were great. It really helped with them coming out and helping us.”
What proved to be Saturday’s game-winner for Warsaw (6-1) came in the 74th minute on an unassisted goal by sophomore Gracie Boren, who ripped a shot inside the box with her left foot.
“I threw a formation on the ladies in the beginning we had never played,” Tigers coach Zach Harding said. “I don’t want to take anything away from (Westview). They played really well. They’re well-coached.
“I don’t think we put our best foot forward because of the changes I made as a coach.”
Central Noble visits Westview and Warsaw goes to Mishawaka Tuesday, Sept. 8.
GIRLS SOCCER
Warsaw 3, Westview 2
Goals
Wv — Kierra Roose (unassisted) 5th minute.
War— Amy Escutia (penalty kick) 14th.
War — Evie Pepper (penalty kick) 55th.
Wv — Marilyn Yoder (Makenna Bender assist) 64th.
War — Gracie Boren (unassisted) 74th.
Shots on goal: Warsaw 10, Westview 3.
Goalie saves: Warsaw — Adrianna Gonzalez 1; Westview — Breanna Garrett 7.
Corners: Warsaw 5, Westview 1.
Records: Warsaw 6-1, Westview 6-2.