The Dragons got off to a sluggish start, but found a groove and didn’t slow down from there. Their five goals were scored by Quinn Norris (unassisted-penalty), Jack Chapman (Gabe Dougherty assist), Timmy Giger (Quinn Norris assist), Dougherty (Mason Warner assist) and Grant Newton (Chapman assist).

“In the first half we were too casual with the ball and handed them some good opportunities,” Warren head coach Steffen Blair said. “Bryce (Grolemund) and Luc (Wilkins) were fantastic all night cleaning up those mistakes to give us a chance to settle into the game. Offensively, Quinn, Jack, and Gabe created a lot of great chances and put pressure on their defense all night. Our response to Erie making it 2-1 was the difference tonight. Rather than getting frustrated, the boys were motivated, turned up the intensity, and we played our best soccer the rest of the way.”

Steal leaders for Warren were Norris with 28, Trey Carrington with 25, and Kyle Jones with 16. Goalkeeper Adon Maier had four saves.

“We played strong as a defensive unit,” sophomore Bryce Grolemund said. “We played for each other, and scored the goals that we needed in order to win. When Gabe got injured, we all rallied together and scored three goals to seal the game. However, we need to work on having higher energy levels to start the game as well as better passing to our teammates.”

Photo by Mark Evans Warren’s Gabe Dougherty battles for the ball from two Erie defenders during Wednesday’s Region 5 game

The Dragons’ junior varsity fell to the Royals 1-0.

Warren is on the road for its next game when it travels to Franklin on Tuesday.

GIRLS

TUESDAY

DRAGONS FALL AT SENECA

WATTSBURG — The Warren girls soccer team suffered a 5-1 nonregion setback to Seneca on Tuesday.

Warren’s lone goal came from the Irwin sister duo. Meea Irwin’s corner kick was perfectly placed and Leyna Irwin was able to knock it into the goal.

“Seneca is a very skilled team,” Dragons head coach Mark Ordiway said. “Their touch on the ball and passing accuracy was the difference.”

The Dragons are back on the field when they host Oil City for a 6 p.m. region contest Monday at War Memorial Field.

“This was another good game to prepare us for region play starting next week,” Ordiway said. “We’re looking forward to our home game next Monday against Oil City and especially the away game Wednesday at Meadville.”