Warsaw ends Patriots' run (10/28/2008)

FORT WAYNE - The Patriots won nine straight games to start the season.

After a tie with Centerville they won nine more in a row to reach the semi-state for the first time in school history. But that 10th consecutive victory eluded them again.

The best boys soccer season in Jay County High School history came to a close Monday night with a 4-0 semi-state semifinal loss to the No. 16 Warsaw Tigers.

Warsaw got the lead just over five minutes into the game on a goal by Matt Franco. JCHS held strong for the next 43 minutes before the Tigers scored three times in the second half for the final margin.

"They got that goal five minutes into the game, (and then) we played them well for 40 minutes," said Bailey. "The kids laid it on the line. They played their hardest.

"Warsaw is definitely the best team we've seen by far. ... This was great for these kids. They played their hearts out."

The Tigers head to the semi-state championship game tonight with a 15-5-2 record, although three of the losses came by forfeit. They will play No. 2 Homestead (20-0-2), which defeated Westview 2-0 in Monday's other semifinal.

Homestead topped Warsaw 2-1 during the regular season in a game that went to a penalty kick shootout.

Tigers' coach Scott Bauer said Monday's game could have been different if Jay County could have found a way to pull even at 1-1.

"The first half of this match was a tight contest," he said. "I think if Jay County had been able to nick a goal in somewhere there, they probably would have been believers.

"But as it was, when we got the second one I think that probably took the air out of them."

The Patriots didn't have many chances to score, with perhaps the best coming with about seven minutes left in the first half.

A long pass into the goal box offered them a first opportunity, but instead the ball was sent out of bounds along the goal line resulting in a corner kick. Patrick Johnson took the kick, but JCHS was unable to get a shot off.

That seemed to be the story of the night as Jay County played about 90 percent of the game on its defensive end of the field. And when the Patriots pushed to their offensive end, the Warsaw defense swarmed the ball and refused to give up a clean shot.

"Their back four is so together in sync, and they're quick," said Bailey of the Tigers, who produced their second straight shutout. "I couldn't believe how fast they were to the ball. They played everything well. And their sweeper kept everybody composed. I thought he did an excellent job back there. He was yelling the whole game. That's what it takes. They were well organized the whole time."

Franco's first-half goal came off a corner kick by Micah Price when the Patriots were unable to clear the ball from in front of the net. In the second half, Price took care of the scoring.

His first tally came at the 30:19 mark, just moments after JCHS defender Derek Bartlett made a great save with his chest just in front of the goal. But as the ball ricocheted off him, Price was there to send it back in to the right corner.

Twelve minutes later Price pushed his team's lead to 3-0 with a beautiful shot from more than 25 yards out on the right side. He gave goalie Adam Daniels no chance as his shot caromed off the left post and in.

"Micah got enough room to make some things happen," said Bauer. "Micah can turn on you and run on you. He's a pretty deceptive player. And he was able to find some opportunities and cash them in."

Corey Lopez gave Warsaw its fourth goal with just 8:27 remaining. He took a pass on a breakaway from Victor Saparagrant, dribbled almost all the way to the goal line just outside the left post and squeaked his high shot through Daniels' hands.

Bauer, whose Tigers won five straight sectional titles and been to the semi-state three times, said he was impressed by how far Jay County has come.

"They're continuing to develop that program," he said. "They're going to continue to get better and improve. ... I like the quality of play that they brought. I just think there's nothing but an upside for them."

The 2008 season was by far the best in school history for Jay County, which prior to this year had just one sectional title and had lost its only regional game.

The Patriots ran off nine straight wins - all by two goals or more - to start the season, and then tied Centerville 1-1. Nine more victories, including a 1-0 shutout of Muncie Central in the regional championship, followed before Monday's loss to Warsaw.

The Tigers were the only team to score more than three goals against JCHS this season, and the first to score more than two since South Adams on Sept. 13.

"They played a dream season," said Bailey of his players. "You can't ask for any more than what the kids have done this year. I'm just totally happy for them. ...

"I'm real proud ... It's just been a fun season."[[In-content Ad]]