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SYRACUSE - Last year’s contest between the Lakeland Christian and Wawasee boys soccer teams was one of the more entertaining matches of the fall, with the Cougars erasing a three goal lead in the final 10 minutes to steal a victory over the Warriors. Thursday evening, the two teams met again, but this match was much less eventful as LCA cruised to a 3-0 victory.
Play was incredibly evenly matched in the early going, as both sides were able to possess the ball for a fair share of time. With a majority of the game being played in the midfield, the scoring chances were few and far between.
Fifteen minutes into the game, each side had only managed a couple of shots, none of which were on goal. As play continued to go on, the Warriors began to apply a bit more pressure on the visitors and it paid dividends almost immediately. Wawasee was beginning to spend more and more time on the LCA side of the field, but just couldn’t come up with that final touch to get a good look on net.
The Cougars responded to this sequence well, earning a pair of corner kicks on the other side and forcing Warrior keeper Carter Wolfe to make the first save of the game. After both teams established their respective offenses, things calmed down and the back-and-forth play that dominated the midfield resumed.
With a little over 10 minutes to go in the first half, the game’s first goal would be scored. It certainly was an interesting one. It started with a fantastic lead pass by LCA’s Jashawn Zielasko to Jazz Wyatt on the wing. Wyatt centered it back towards the net, but right to a Warrior defender. Unfortunately for him, he slipped trying to clear it, and it rolled right to the feet of Zaiden Miller in front of the net. With just five feet of separation and only the goalie to beat, he uncorked a rocket to put the visitors up 1-0.
Wawasee freshman Jackson Hensel (L) and LCA sophomore Damian Meza collide while seeking ball control...NIeter
Just a few minutes later, Lakeland Christian doubled its lead. On the third LCA corner of the game, they were awarded a penalty kick on a handball inside the box. Miller went to take it, but it was saved by Wolfe. However, the rebound eventually made its way back to Miller after a quick pass, and with the goal now wide open, he made it 2-0 quite easily.
Halftime came and went, and just three minutes into the second half, the Cougars extended its advantage once again. This time Miller had the assist, finding Jonah Harman, who did the rest and made it 3-0.
About five minutes later, a sequence early similar to the one in the first half awarded a penalty kick to Wawasee after a hand ball in the box. Josiah Jones stepped in to take it, but was denied by LCA keeper Eli Clemens. The ball made it right back to Jones, but his second shot sailed over the net.
With a very large hill to climb to get back into the game, the Warriors began to do better controlling possession after the third goal. However, as was the case in the first half, the home side was unable to find that final pass or touch to find a good shot opportunity. The Cougar back line was doing a great job denying their opponent at every turn.
Time was constantly ticking down and Wawasee had come no closer to getting on the scoreboard. Now protecting a three-goal lead, LCA seemed content to sit back and play defense as opposed to chasing another goal. With a little more than 10 minutes to go in the match, that strategy seemed to be working just fine.
The Warriors were able to put together a few more runs in the final minutes of the game, but their first goal still eluded them. The Cougar defense was able to hold strong and finish off the shut out.
Lakeland Christian (5-3) is on the road at Central Noble on Saturday while Wawasee (1-6) is at NorthWood Tuesday.
