The Lady Dragons got a measure of revenge against the Bulldogs at War Memorial Field Tuesday with a thrilling 5-4 victory.

“We got the monkey off our back,” Warren coach Jeremy Bickling said. “To beat that team, that has taken so many opportunities from us, is amazing for the girls.”

Warren (6-1 overall, 4-1 Region 6) came out of the gates firing. The Dragons held possession for most of the first five minutes of the game and that possession eventually paid dividends. Kyliegh Wilson passed the ball down to Aubrianna Navaroli in the right corner. Navaroli was unable to advance and sent the ball back to Wilson. Wilson then centered to Kyra Wortorson who pushed it past keeper Riley Olson for a 1-0 Warren lead at 5:23.

Meadville (4-3, 3-3) began to press the issue and created some chances. Liz Adams took a corner kick at 12:17 and appeared to have sailed the ball right over the goal mouth. The ball hit the far post and bounced back and across the goalline to bring the Bulldogs back to even.

Warren’s Jessica Susz (33) passes the ball away from Meadville’s Olivia Steinbeck (28) during the second half of their match at War Memorial Field, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. The Dragons defeated the Bulldogs, 5-4.

“This is a decent team and you can’t let them have opportunities,” Bickling said. “That one was tough.”

Wilson nearly got the goal right back a minute later, but put the ball over the crossbar to keep things knotted at 1 apiece.

Meadville’s Phoebe Templin broke the tie at 22:59 with the finish on a perfectly executed stretch play. The Bulldogs defense took possession in their own end and pushed the ball up to Jadyn Jurek. Jurek sent a long lead pass to Templin who had a step on the Dragons defense. Warren keeper Alyssa Andersen came out to challenge, but Templin sent the ball past her on the short side for a 2-1 Meadville lead.

“We expected a battle,” Bickling said.

Wotorson looked to have her second of the game seven minutes later. The sophomore shot a roller that went across the goal mouth but Olson was somehow able to keep it out. Navaroli was there on the right post to collect the rebound and passed out to Wilson off the corner. Wilson fired a shot that took a bounce over Olson’s head and into the back of the net to square things at 2-2.

Warren keeper Alyssa Andersen makes a save late in the second half of a game against Meadville at War Memorial Field, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. The save, off a corner kick, preserved a lead and the Dragons went on to defeat the Bulldogs, 5-4.

Warren regained the lead three minutes later. Paige Johnson collected the ball in her own end and fired a pass upfield beyond the Bulldog defense. Navaroli was able to win the race to the ball and got a shot off just before Olson was able to gain possession. The ball rolled into the back corner for a 3-1 Warren advantage.

Mackenzie Bickling doubled the lead on an indirect free kick at 35:50. She shot high and the ball sailed just out of Olson’s reach and under the crossbar to give the Dragons a 4-2 lead at the half.

Meadville had another breakaway chance early in the second half, but Addie Phillis pushed the shot just wide of the net.

Moments later, Adams cashed in her second tally of the night to cut the deficit in half. She got out behind the Dragon defense on another stretch pass from Meadville’s own zone. Andersen came way out to challenge the shot, but Adams got it away before Andersen could cut off the angle.

“We got a little sloppy with the ball at times,” coach Bickling said.

Phillis tied the game at 64:29. The Bulldogs had an indirect free kick and the ball came to Phillis on the right post. She sent the ball to the far side and in to tie the game at 4-4.

Wotorson got free a few minutes later, but Olson was able to fight off her sharp angle shot to keep the match tied.

With just under 10 minutes to play, Bickling got the ball on the left sideline. She made a nifty move to get past the defender, advanced and centered to MJ Fadale.

Just as the ball was approaching Fadale’s foot, Bickling yelled, “shoot!” Fadale lifted the ball for a high arching shot that went over Olson’s head and into the back of the net for a 5-4 Warren lead.

“I saw the run ‘Mac’ was making and said ‘We need this goal,'” Fadale said. “Mac made a great pass to the middle.

“I knew I wanted to go high,” she continued. “We’ve been working on placing the ball.”

“That’s the type of play we hope for,” coach Bickling said. “MJ was in a great place for the shot.”

Meadville got a quality chance with 5:39 to play in the game. The Bulldogs had a corner kick and found a player streaking to the far post. Andersen was able to square on the shot to preserve the lead.

“Alyssa handles the stress well,” coach Bickling said. “It’s tough to put a freshman back in goal, but she thrives. She handles the pressure well.”

The Bulldogs continued to press for shots as time wound down, but the Dragons defense prevented any quality chances and as the horn sounded, the celebration was on.

“This feels amazing,” Fadale said of the win. “It’s the best feeling. Time and time again this team has got us. It’s great to get back at them.”

The Dragons will have little time to bask in victory as they welcome Hickory (7-1, 5-1) for a key Region 6 contest Thursday. The Hornets are coming off a 4-0 win over Bradford Tuesday.

“We don’t really know much about them other than they’re good,” coach Bickling said.

The winner will be in sole possession of second place in the region.

JV: WARREN 3, MEADVILLE 0

Warren won the junior varsity contest 3-0.

Rylie Yeager had two goals and Shelby Smith scored once in the win.