ERIE - This was a big win.
Warren rebounded from a weekend loss to Harbor Creek and held off a tough challenge from Mercyhurst Prep during a 3-2 victory Wednesday at Erie Veterans Stadium.
"It was nice to rebound from Saturday's loss (against Harbor Creek)," said Warren coach Tom Harrington. "The passing game we put together was the best we've been able to have all season and the defense played tremendous. It was a hard fought battle between both teams. The officiating was superior. They let the kids play and determine the outcome on the field."
Warren opened a one-goal lead on two separate occasions in the first half. Joseph Bell started the scoring 22 minutes in, scoring off a corner kick from Phil Acula. The Lakers responded with an equalizing goal just minutes later and the contest was tied at 1-1.
Not long after that, Warren forged ahead again with Liam Boger converting a free kick from 35 yards out to make it 2-1. Again, Mercyhurst Prep didn't need long to knot the scoring, adding a goal in the waning moments of the first half to make it 2-2 at intermission.
The second half was a see-saw battle, according to Harrington, but it was his Dragons who eventually broke through with the gamewinner. Boger assisted on that goal and Hunter Mohney buried the deciding goal into the back of the net.
Warren won despite being outshot, 15-8. Goalkeeper Nathan Sandberg stopped 13 of those Laker shots.
The Dragons also earned a victory in the junior varsity contest, 1-0. Jason Tipton scored the only goal of the game on an assist from Clark Eason. Nick Tarpenning was the shutout keeper.
Warren (3-1) returns to the field Saturday, hosting Fairview in an 11 a.m. match at War Memorial Field.