“I am always nervous about the first match,” said Warren coach Denny Flatt. “No matter how much you prepare there is always first-game jitters. We have had some injuries the last couple of weeks and had to alter formations and modify strategies that best suit our players’ skill set. The last-minute changes have been very challenging to players and coaches.

“We told them these are the cards we have been dealt and let’s get to work. Probably for the first time in program history, three freshmen got the starting nod and played well. These freshmen include Jack Darling, Holden Creal, and Parks Ordiway. The other coaches and I informed them of the importance of coming out fast, being relentless, and sending a message to our opponents. They responded by scoring four goals in the first ten minutes. We controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish. We were committed to creating space and stringing quality passes together.”

Caleb Lindell had a career day with six goals.

“Caleb is a threat with the ball and is one of the best players in the area, Flatt said. “He has always been good, but he is ‘dialed in’ this year. The seniors know this is their last hoorah, and I will assure anyone they will battle to the last second, of the last game of the year.

Warren’s Ryon Flatt (right) plays a header.

” Lindell’s teammates of Zane Anderson, John Page, Alex Nebinski, and Ryon Flatt have good offensive chemistry on the ball, and should even get better as the season progresses. It is imperative we spread the ball and ensure offensive attacks are by committee.”

Tyler Gustafson, the only remaining defensive player from the stingy 2018 defense, led the backline to the shutout, with a team highf 18 tackles.

“Tyler is a versatile player, that plays well in any position. I told him at the beginning of the season that he was needed to mentor and lead the young backline,” Flatt said. “He has embraced this role and is doing a great job.”

Sean Duckett and Jack Darling were impressive on defense. Sophomore JT Blum made his varsity debut and contributed with a goal and an assist.

The scoring started fast at the 2:32 mark when Ryon Flatt utilized his speed down the sideline and passed a great ball to JT Blum. Tyler Gustafson connected with a long pass to Lindell at 5:32.

Less than three minutes later Blum was credited with an assist to Lindell at 8:23. Only seven seconds later, John Page picked off a pass and buried it in the net for his first varsity goal.

“John is very good, high energy player, but an injury kept him out of the lineup the past two seasons. To say he was ready for this game was an understatement,” noted coach Flatt.

At the 13:20, Flatt’s corner kick was put in the net by Parks Ordiway for his first varsity goal. Alex Nebinski executed a great “throw in” to Lindell at 18:15 to close out the first-half scoring.

The first goal of the second half occurred at the 48:00 when Zane Anderson found Lindell. Lindell continued his offensive attack at 57:00 when he stole the ball and scored. With less than a minute left, it was only fitting that Lindell buried his sixth goal after a great Anderson corner quick.

“That score was one of the best corners I have seen a long time,” noted coach Flatt. “Ian Darling, our keeper who is a little nicked up made some quality saves and communicated well with the backline. Darling was relieved by Alex Ferry ten minutes into the second half and preserved the shutout.

“The win was great, but it’s over; we will now prepare for the always great McDowell Trojans, who we play away on Wednesday at 5 p.m.,” Flatt said. “They are a much bigger school and have the numbers, but you only get better by playing quality opponents, and challenging your players to improve.”

Defense was the name of the game as the Warren Boys JV Soccer team battled to 1-0 win.

Warren got on the board in the 14th minute as Sean Duckett found a seam and got the ball to Jack Darling for the only score of the game. The Dragon defense followed the example of the varsity squad and kept North East from scoring for the remainder of the match.

“We played a solid defensive game, and I thought a couple of our JV defenders really stepped up to play today. Ethan Best, Holden Creal, and JT Blum really did a nice job anchoring the defense,” said JV Coach Chris Darling.

Ferry and Will Nebinski combined for the shutout.