Lady Tigers Score Commanding Win Over GeneralsFORT WAYNE – Though playing the Generals, it was the Lady Tigers who were in full command Thursday night.
Getting its initial shot off in the first 20 seconds of the match, Warsaw dominated from start to finish en route to a 6-0 girls soccer sectional semifinal win over Fort Wayne Wayne.
The Lady Tigers scored five goals in the first half and saw six different players put the ball in the net overall, as they improved to 12-4-3 and advanced to Saturday’s 6 p.m. South Side Sectional championship game against No. 18 Huntington North.
Huntington North, which improved to 16-1, beat Homestead 3-2 in Thursday’s first semifinal after 80 minutes of regulation, 14 minutes of overtime and then penalty kicks.
“I was thrilled to see our team come out hard in the first five minutes today,” said first-year Warsaw coach Jon Hoover. “To not only score six goals, but do it with six different players is a testament to the hard work the players put in on the field.
“I’m proud of our team and the style and joy they brought to the game tonight. We can’t wait to get the chance to play for a sectional title Saturday.”
Wayne finished its season with an 8-9 record.
The Lady Tigers are in search of the program’s 10th sectional title and seventh in eight seasons.
To get to Saturday’s title tilt, Warsaw dominated South Side and Wayne, winning the two games by a combined score of 18-0.
In Thursday’s victory, the Lady Tigers got at least one goal from each class.
Scoring for Warsaw were senior Brenna Shipley, juniors Anna Grill and Olivia Herman, sophomores Brenna Buhrt and Abby Steffensmeier, and freshman Audrey Grimm.
Buhrt was credited with two assists.
The Lady Tigers haven’t lost a game since a 3-2 setback to Noblesville on Sept. 9.
In the eight games since, Warsaw is 6-0-2 and outscored its opponents 45-6.
WARSAW 6, F.W. WAYNE 0
FWW 0 0 – 0
War 5 1 – 6
(Scoring)
War – Brenna Shipley 8th min
War – Brenna Buhrt 12th min
War – Audrey Grimm 15th min
War – Abby Steffensmeier 24th min
War – Olivia Herman PK 33rd min
War – Anna Grill 53rd min
Records: Warsaw 12-4-3, Wayne 8-9
Other semifinal: Huntington North 3, Homestead 2 (HN won 4-3 in PKs)
Championship: Saturday at 6 p.m., Warsaw vs. Huntington North
