×

Dragons get big win over rival Bradford

Warren’s Beck Labesky (29) and Bradford’s Colton Swanson battle for possession during the first half of Tuesday’s Region 5 showdown against Bradford. Labesky was part of a stout defensive effort for the Dragons, helping them to a 3-0 victory at War Memorial Field.

In what has become one of the best rivalries in Northwest Pennsylvania over the past decade, Warren and Bradford delivered again on an unseasonably warm evening at War Memorial Field.

Although the final score, a 3-0 Dragon victory, may not tell the tale, this was another fierce battle.

“It’s no secret that this is a big rivalry,” said Warren coach Denny Flatt. “We play each other hard. It’s a high-spirited game. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember.”

The Dragons avenged a 2-0 win by the Owls on Sept. 19, and, dating back to 2016, the two teams have split the series at 3-3, with Warren scoring nine goals in those games and Bradford eight.

The entire course of this latest edition may have been altered in the first minute of the game, when Bradford’s Colton Swanson played a shot that was deflected off a Dragon defender and over the head of keeper Tommy Harrington. Luke Smelko and Beck Labesky both went back for the ball, with Smelko crashing into the goal post and Labesky able to head it away from going in the net.

Warren’s Jake Funari attempts a bicycle kick during Tuesday’s game against Bradford.

Smelko left the game briefly, but was able to return.

“It was terrifying,” Labesky said of the play. “I came back and was able to get it out.”

And, while Bradford did have it’s chances, the group of Labesky, Smelko, Tyler Gustafson, Caleb Ei, Damon Navaroli and Harrington were able to keep coach Wes Lohrman’s crew off the scoreboard.

“We were able to use our speed to our advantage,” noted Labesky.

That early play proved to be critical, because at the 30:20 mark of the half, Colin Blair played a perfect pass to Caleb Lindell, who was able to connect on the first of two goals to give the Dragons (9-5-1) an early lead.

Bradford’s Aryon Hart makes a slide tackle in front of Warren’s Caleb Lindell (14) and the Owls’ Brett Degolier. Lindell had two goals as the Dragons earned a 3-0 win at War Memorial Field.

“I think it was really important to score that first goal,” Lindell said. “I think us scoring first definitely gave us momentum. It was a nice play by Colin, he played it to the back post and I was there.”

The two teams traded blows the rest of the half, but the 1-0 score held.

Warren appeared to have its second marker right at the midway point, but it was correctly ruled offsides.

Ei had a shot off the post at the 14:37 mark, and Swanson played a shot that was just wide for Bradford with 10:51 to go in the half.

Both Harrington and Bradford (10-5) keeper Gavin Piscitelli made some above average stops.

Luke Smelko and the Warren Dragons battle Cathedral Prep in the D-10 Class 3A boys soccer semifinals.

“The first game, their star, No. 18 (Swanson), kind of shredded our midfield,” noted senior captain Griffin Suppa. “Our midfield defended well today and stayed together. “

The first 30 minutes of the second half played out much like the final 30 minutes of the first half, with both teams able to generate quality chances, but neither able to penetrate the goal.

Devon Navaroli’s corner kick with 24:22 to go in the game found the head of Ei, with Gustafson eventually getting control and looking like he may have scored a goal, but to no avail.

No matter, as with 9:45 to go, Lindell was able to chip a ball over the head of Piscitelli and bury it into a wide open net for a 2-0 lead.

Suppa put the exclamation point on the contest with 18 seconds left, scoring on Blair’s second assist of the game.

“Beating quality teams like Erie and Bradford really helps,” Suppa said. “We’ve been in close games against teams like that the whole season.”

Flatt echoed similar thoughts.

“We’ve been in six 1-goal games this season,” he said. “This one was a nailbiter right till the end. Hats off to the kids. They’re playing at another level then they were before. We’re peeking at the right time. This is a big win. It’s just a pleasure to coach them and watch them never give up.”

For the defense, Ei finished with 30 steals and 35 tackles, Labesky 26 steals and 34 tackles, Gustafson 17 steals and 20 tackles and Smelko 18 tackles.

Warren returns to action on Thursday, hosting Oil City.

– – –

JV: Warren 1, Bradford 0

Alex Nebinski’s penalty kick in the 25th minute kept the Dragon JV team undefeated, as they outlasted the Owls 1-0.

Alex Ferry earned the shutout in net.

“Alex had some really good saves and our defense did a really good job of shutting down their speedy forwards,” said Warren coach Chris Darling. “Our defense, Sean Duckett, Arick Allen, Damon Navaroli played great. Wes Kiehl, Ricky Madril and Zane Anderson really stood out at midfield. Basically the entire team … A.J. Seyler did a real nice job and Alex was working really hard to create chances and got that penalty kick.”

There will be no JV game on Thursday, so the Dragons have just General McLane and Meadville left standing in their way of an unbeaten season.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today