Jacks Soccer Set To Play For First State Title After Defeating Episcopal Collegiate

Coach Rusty Densmore’s Warren Lumberjacks burst open the doors offensively Saturday afternoon in route to a 4-2 Semifinal victory over Episcopal Collegiate in the 4A State Playoffs, rendering a 4A State Championship birth for the Orange and Black.

Offensive prowess was the name of the game today for Warren.  Early in the first half Daniel Mondragon connected with Santiago Garcia during during a breakaway effort, but the end result goal was ruled offside.  The Jacks had a number of close chances following that first threat to goal.

Moments later Mondragon took another breakaway the distance and dispatched his first goal, and Warren’s opening goal of the day, to make it 1-0 Lumberjacks.  Mondragon had another couple of close chances before the halftime break.

Episcopal did make a late first half push, but Warren held strong defensively.

After the opening of the second half, Mondragon again came close to putting Warren up by two, but found his shot drifted just wide.  It didn’t take much longer however for him to dial another up.  His second goal gave Warren a little cushion at 2-0.

As Mondragon continued to cause concern for the Episcopal defense, there was a somewhat controversial call during play.  It ended with the Episcopal keeper, as well and Mondragon for Warren, both being sent of with red cards.

Episcopal caused a bit of danger for Warren’s lead in the ensuing minutes, as they brought one back to make the score 2-1 Warren.

Warren’s Salomon Garay answered right back however, scoring a third goal for Warren, once again on a breakaway.

With around ten minutes remaining, Garcia connected with Salomon Garay to put the Jacks up 4-1.

Episcopal pulled one more back with 1:44 remaining, but could go no further.  The Jacks won by the final of 4-2.

The Lumberjacks will next face Dardanelle in the 4A State Championship.  Dardanelles defeated Hamburg by the score of 3-1 in their semifinal match. The date for the championship game has yet to be announced on the AAA website.  This State Championship appearance will be Warren's first since the establishment of Warren's soccer program in the Spring of 2012, a truly remarkable feat for such a young program.

salineriverchronicle.com will have a reporter and photographer in attendance for the State Title game.  We would like to wish the Jacks the best of luck!

_____

If you or your business would like to purchase a good luck advertisement for the Lumberjacks, please contact our advertising director, Gregg Reep, at 870-820-2403.  If Warren wins, a portion of each ad will be donated to the championship ring fund.