Van Wormer Leads Tigers Past Wawasee
SYRACUSE – It was the Liz Van Wormer show Saturday afternoon at Warrior Field. Van Wormer scored five goals as part of a 8-0 win over Wawasee.
The scoring got going early for Warsaw as Mariah Rivera scored a one-hop goal from around 25 yards out to give her team a 1-0 lead. After that quick start, Van Wormer went to work.
The senior put Warsaw up 2-0 following a great move near the goal to give herself an open look. Her play was exceptional throughout the day, but the performance to get that goal may have been the highlight of the game for the Tigers. The play certainly did not go unnoticed by Wawasee head coach Doug Heinisch.
“That second goal that they scored was really impressive,” stated Heinisch. “She (Van Wormer) made a really nice play, shielded her body, turned and scored. I mean, we had a defender there, but Van Wormer created that goal for herself.”
Wawasee made it too easy for Warsaw’s third goal as a handball in the box set up a penalty kick from Van Wormer who made the shot with ease, running the score to 3-0 and her personal total to two goals.
Sydney Wiedeman got in on the action in the second half as she netted a ball to lift Warsaw to a 5-0 lead. Van Wormer then reminded Wawasee that she was still hanging around by scoring the next two goals for the Tigers. Brenna Shipley added the eighth and final goal for Warsaw in an impressive showing of offense.
Van Wormer certainly appeared as a one-woman team on the stat sheet, but the help from her teammates was immense as Wawasee barely saw Warsaw’s half of the field throughout the contest. That team aspect is one thing Warsaw head coach Peter Lucht knows is important to the success the Tigers have had thus far.
“We give credit to God first,” began Lucht. “I’m very grateful to coach these girls. They’re talented girls but they have great heart and character so I’m just thankful to be here as their coach, I’m very blessed. We’re thankful to walk away without any serious injuries as well.
“Elizabeth Van Wormer is a special talent. She is a captain this year and was one last year. She’s just a really great player, but she’s not just an individual. She’s a team player and loves to watch her teammates succeed. As talented as she is, she’s also unselfish and that’s just awesome.”
Warsaw moves to 13-0 overall and 6-0 in Northern Lakes Conference play and will play for the NLC title next Thursday against Northridge but before the focus can turn there, the Tigers will play Carroll in a contest on Tuesday.
“I kind of like that we have two challenging games towards the end of the season,” said Lucht. “Carroll will certainly be a challenge as well as Northridge. Sectionals is that next week so if you can’t get up for those two teams then I don’t know what will motivate you. Those games are great opportunities for our girls to go out and play some great competition.”
Wawasee (3-10-1, 0-5) will host Elkhart Memorial Tuesday night.
Warsaw and Wawasee played to a draw in the JV game.