ERIE, Pa. – The Warren boys soccer team knew it would face a tough test at McDowell Wednesday.

The test was even tougher for a Dragons team minus a few players due to injury. The Trojans took full advantage on their way to a 4-0 win.

“We played pretty well,” Warren coach Denny Flatt said. “They’re just a bigger team. We wanted to play bigger teams to get us ready and they’re one of the premier teams in the area.”

Jonas Williams netted a hat trick for McDowell, with two goals coming in the first half.

Williams got the scoring started at 18:13 with a quality shot past Warren keeper Ian Darling. Twelve minutes later, Williams was back on the attack. Darling was able to get a hand on the shot, but the ball had enough momentum to trickle across the line for a 2-0 Trojans lead at the half.

“We looked pretty good, especially in the last five minutes of the first half,” Flatt said.

Williams picked up his third goal with a header off a direct kick at 54:28. Lewis Coralis took a long pass behind a tired Dragons defense and put it in at 64:51 to cap the scoring.

“That was a fatigue goal,” Flatt said. “We only used one sub the entire game. No excuses, this is a good team and you only get better by playing good teams.”

While never satisfied with a loss, Flatt said it can be beneficial as long as the team is able to learn something from it.

“We told the kids they would be challenged and they definitely were,” he said. “We learned a lot. They were really fast to the ball and physical. The kids played with tons of heart. We knew we were an underdog, but we made it respectable and didn’t back down.

“Jack Darling, Tyler Gustafson and Sean Duckett played really well,” Flatt added. “As coaches, we were pleased with the hustle and intensity. That’s going to go a long ways.”

Ian Darling had 11 saves in net.

“He had some real quality saves,” Flatt said.

The Dragons return to action Tuesday when they host Fort LeBoeuf.

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JV: McDOWELL 6, WARREN 0

The Dragons junior varsity team played only 10 against McDowell and dropped a 6-0 decision.

“We actually played pretty well, considering the large team,” Flatt said.

Alex Ferry played the first half, and Will Nebinski the second in net. Each had multiple “nice saves,” according to coach Chris Darling.