Warren’s Tyler Gustafson (right) heads the ball away from Harbor Creek’s Justin Hakel.

HARBORCREEK, Pa. – It might not have been a region game but the Warren Dragon boys soccer team earned perhaps its biggest win of the season on Saturday.

The Dragons scored three second-half goals – two by Caleb Lindell and the other by Wes Kiehl to knock off previously unbeaten Harbor Creek, 3-0.

Ryon Flatt had all three assists, and Ian Darling had eight saves to earn the shutout in net.

The Huskies came into the game scoring 46 goals and allowing just nine.

“To score three goals against them and shut them down offensively was an accomplishment. We knew going into the match it was going to take a total team effort and that is exactly what transpired,” said Warren coach Denny Flatt. “Our intensity was there during warm-ups and lasted the entire 80 minutes.

“Some wins feel better than others, this one was well-earned and felt great for the players and coaches. We had to scratch and claw for all three of our goals. Last year we lost a heartbreaker due to a couple of second-half miscues. That one was hard to digest. I reminded them of last year’s contest all week and the opportunity to beat an undefeated team. They were ready for this one.”

The Dragons won the possession game and were very calculating with their passes and focused on finding seams.

The teams played a 0-0 first half. “We had a couple of good looks in the first 40 minutes, but couldn’t quite convert,” noted Flatt. “Our great play in the first half enabled more opportunities in the second half. We took what was working, made a couple of adjustments and that was the difference.”

Lindell’s stellar season continued when he scored one minute into the second half with an assist from Flatt. Lindell found the net again for his 30th goal of the season at the 47:32 mark after receiving a corner kick from Flatt.

The Huskies continued their long-ball threat, but the backline of Tyler Gustafson, Jack Darling, and Alex Nebinski quickly snuffed out their attempts. They played as a unit and were very impressive.

“Tyler is very athletic and a savvy defensive player. His leadership and experience are paying dividends,” coach Flatt said. “Nebinski was playing a position he does not normally play and played a great, physical game. Jack Darling, who is a freshman, continues to impress. He shut down perimeter threats and challenged everything.”

Keeper Ian Darling recorded his fourth shutout of the season.

“He is playing with renewed confidence after receiving good news this week regarding an injury,” coach Flatt stated.

Freshmen winger Parks Ordiway had his best match of the season.

“Parks is playing with confidence and made things very difficult for the Huskies on both sides of the ball,” said Flatt.

Wesley Kiehl scored on a hard-earned goal game at 63:45 mark, on Flatt’s third assist of the game. Kiehl’s goal was a result of good positioning and not giving up on the play. His goal took the air out of the Huskies and enabled the Dragons to play a possession game and eat time off of the clock.

The play of John Page and Zane Anderson had a major impact on this match, turning Huskie attacks into Dragon attacks.

“Their field chemistry is very good,” Flatt said. “They ‘push and compete’ against each other at every practice, which pays dividends in games. JT Blum played well from his forward position and won balls which enabled us to continue our offensive attacks.

“Alex Ferry contributed valuable minutes off the bench. Every time Alex went on the field, he impacted ball possession. He is playing with a very determined attitude and it is paying off for him and the team. It is imperative that we carry this intensity into future matches. We have a very challenging upcoming schedule and are preparing for some quality programs.”

The regional match with Franklin scheduled for today has been postponed. The Dragons resume home play on Wednesday at 5 p.m. against Slippery Rock.

The JV team lost to the Huskies by a 2-0 score. Neither team could find the net in the first half. A depleted bench and a couple of mistakes on defense was the difference.

“They are learning and are improving as the season progresses,” Flatt said.