#18 NorthWood - Wawasee 2-1 (1-0)

NorthWood has trouble in the final third all night. The Panthers score in the 19th on a Dom goal (Jager assist). Trace has a great save in the first and second half to make sure we stay ahead. At the half the emphasis is on playing more direct and quicker while balls need to go into the Warriors' box. We get numerous chances throughout the game (close to a dozen or so). Wawasee ties the game 6 minutes into the second half when we give up a PK (our 6th on the season) when Grant fouls a Wawasee attacker in or near the box. It takes a Wawasee coaches "request" to have the center ref check with the AR to see if the foul was actually inside the box. It either is or it is not but a long conversation between the two results in a PK as opposed to the earlier call of a free kick.Afer reviewing the "foul" on Hudl, you can see that Grant heads the ball, the Wawasee player does not go for the ball but instead intentionally nudges Grant. Another officiating blunder of the highest degree. Wawasee puts the ball into the ropes for the 1-1 draw. In the 50th a Dom to Jager to Sol ball ends up in the net for Sol's first and NorthWood's second and what would turn out to be final goal of the night. In the 61st, Sol enters the Wawasee box and gets tackled. The ensuing PK is not bad but stopped by a great effort by the Wawasee backstop. The Wawasee keeper had a very good night and prevented efforts from Sol, Dom and Carlos and keeps the total tally at 2 for the night. We play well but not quick enough and struggle all night to finish.In the latter part of the game Sol and the Wawasee keeper collide. The keeper needs attention from the trainer. The IHSAA rules state: "ANY player who is injured and requires the coach/medical staff -and both went out- to come onto the field must be substituted. Goalkeepers can be substituted by someone on field or bench". Let's just say that if you do not keep up on the rules, you have NO business being on the field. We come away with an NLC win but we should never have let it get this close. Wawasee has several chances throughout the night but manages only to level two corner flags and put a PK into the Panthers goal. NorthWood moves to 4-3-1 (1-2-0 in NLC). The JV defeats Wawasee 6-0 (!) in one half of soccer. Next up for both teams is a Thursday away game at Elkhart Christian.