Warren's girls soccer team started its 2012 season with a 3-1 non-region win on Saturday at Titusville.
It looked like the first game of the season for both teams early on as both looked to form a consistent attack. Amanda Pinkerton made some early saves for the Dragons to keep the game scoreless.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 19th minute. Sabrina Anderson got through for a hard shot off the keeper, and Morgan Danielson finished off the rebound.
Warren continued to press the attack and were rewarded with a second goal in the 28th minute when Jaimie Eaton found Kaitlin Ishman, who hammered a shot thru multiple defenders and the goalie to find the back of the net.
"We reminded the girls at half that a two-goal lead can make you venerable to relax and let the game shift in your opponents favor," said Warren coach Bob Domville. "They needed to stay with what was working. "
The Dragons' best chance early in the second half came when Kirsten DiPierro's cross found Eaton, only to have the powerful header clang off the crossbar.
Titusville would make the game interesting in the 64th minute when the Rockets scored on a free kick by Faith Champion, whose shot just got over the hands of Warren keeper Lauren Frazier and fell into the goal.
"I was happy with the way the girls responded to the Titusville goal," said Domville. "They reestablished the attack and less than four minutes later we had a two-goal lead again."
Warren's third goal came from Erica Blair, who finished a feed from Abby Funari with a well-placed shot.
Domville praised the defensive efforts of Paige Rimer, Reid Yarzabek, Danielle Smith, Emma Kridler and Amy Castagnino, whose efforts limited most of Titusville shots to ones that helped their keepers.
"We took some steps in our effort to build our team chemistry, and we were pleased with how players getting their first varsity start handled themselves," said Domville. "We will need to keep working hard if we hope to be competitive. "
The junior varsity squad suffered a 2-1 setback, but not without some chances to even it up. Kathryn Lobdell scored on an assist by Riana Hoffman. Hoffman and Emmi Beuger split time in goal for Warren.
Warren assistant John Lasher was happy with the effort of his young squad, especially the play of some new faces - Taylor John, Aldyn Poston and Katelyn Adams.
"They are starting to see how different the game can be at the high school level and we hope they will get a good foundation to move our program forward," he said.
Warren will host the Strong Vincent Cornels at 5 p.m. Tuesday at War Memorial Field.