Warren’s boys soccer team had a furious finish that ended short, losing 2-1 to Slippery Rock on Wednesday in the District 10 Class 2A playoff quarterfinals at Meadville Area Senior High.

“For about the last four or five minutes, we had some great pressure, definitely,” said Warren assistant coach Chris Darling. “They were on their heels, defending in their third (of the field).

“The game truly was decided by a bounce or two in the wrong or right direction,” he said.

Trailing 2-0, Warren senior captain Jack Darling blasted one in from 20 yards to the top left of the net with about eight minutes remaining.

Photo courtesy of Erin Napolitan Warren senior Parks Ordiway holds off a Slippery Rock defender.

The Dragons provided constant pressure for the remainder of the match, but couldn’t tie it up.

Reflecting on eight seniors who played their last match for the 13-6 Dragons, “this group of young men was special,” said Warren head coach Denny Flatt. “The leadership from the captains this year was something they should be proud of. We were a family and really had a tight team.”

Three of the eight seniors were four-year letter winners, one started every varsity match of his high school career, and one — Parks Ordiway — became only the third Dragon to achieve 200 career points, and the first in 15 years. Ordiway finishes with 243 points — third behind Justin Munsen and Mark Schoenborn, who each tallied 260 points in their varsity careers.

Another senior, goalie Will Nebinski, “played a solid match and made some key saves,” said Darling of the nail-biter on a slick MASH field surface.

Warren and Slippery Rocket played to a 0-0 halftime score, and both teams had chances.

In the second half, Slippery Rock’s Hunter Berry scored first goal midway through the second half. Nick Kingerski’s header off a corner kick proved pivotal with just under 10 minutes to play.

“We left it all on the field,” said Darling. “The ball just didn’t bounce our way tonight. We have lots to be proud of. We were disappointed with the outcome, but happy with the performance.”

Revved up by Darling’s rallying goal, the team “kept the emotion and intensity up … until time expired,” added Flatt.

The Rockets (15-3-1) advance to the D10 2A playoff semifinals on Oct. 31.