The McDowell Trojans showed the Warren Dragons once again why they reside atop the standings with a 6-0 victory at War Memorial Field on Wednesday.

In the previous showdown, McDowell won 9-0, so the Dragons knew they were in for a tough game.

A tough game is exactly what they got from the Trojans who dominated from start to finish.

“McDowell is probably the best team in the District 10,” said Warren head coach Jeremy Bickling. “We played short two starters, one sick and one hurt. It’s just that time of year that you’ve got to work through the lumps and McDowell is just a quality program. The girls came out and played as hard as they could given the circumstances.”

Warren’s Lennon Dailey protects the ball from a McDowell defender during Wednesday’s Region 6 girls soccer game at War Memorial Field in Warren. Times Observer photo by Christian Storms

It was early and often the Trojans offense came into attack, putting several shots toward goal including one by Grace Emanuel that rung off the crossbar. Shortly after hitting the crossbar, McDowell found the back of the net as Abby Faulhaber found the loose ball after a corner kick. McDowell scored three more times before the end of the half as Olivia Monti, Jenna Devore and Emanuel all found the back of the net, including a goal with nine seconds left in the half.

At half the score was 4-0, but if not for Alyssa Andersen in net for the Dragons the score could have been even worse.

“Alyssa is fantastic,” Bickling said about the Dragons’ goalkeeper. “She keeps us in a game like this even though it was very lopsided. It could have been another 10 goals if she’s not on top of her game. She’s a senior and to come out and represent in one of her last few home games like the way she did today it was really good to see.”

In the second half the Dragons tightened things up better defensively, giving up just two more goals.

“Tonight we had to adjust some defensive issues because we lost some players on defense,” Bickling said. “The girls did a good job, the changes were made prior to the game and one of the girls didn’t even know she was starting so they did well on the short notice.”

Warren’s Eliza Brook holds off a McDowell defender during Wednesday’s Region 6 girls soccer game at War Memorial Field in Warren. The Dragons were unable to find the back of the net as the Trojans won 6-0. Times Observer photo by Christian Storms

McDowell’s goals in the second half came from the leg of Faulhaber again and Hannah Shepard.

Faulhaber ended the game with two goals and an assist, Emanuel had two assists with her goal, and both Samantha Faulkner and Carmel Frenn had one assist.

With the victory McDowell improves to 11-2 overall and 7-0 in the district.

Warren is now 7-6 overall and 5-3 in the district. Today Warren will try to get back in the win column when it hosts St. Marys.

Warren’s Georgie Bickling takes a corner kick during the Wednesday’s game against McDowell. Times Observer photo by Christian Storms