Veterans Warhawks sweep the pitch with 3-0 win over Harris County

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Veterans Warhawks (1-0) established dominance in their season debut on their home pitch at Freedom Field, claiming a 3-0 victory over the Harris County Tigers (1-1).

In their victory over the Tigers, the Warhawks established their territory on offense and defense while taking and controlling the midfield, making moves to get the ball up the pitch to Harris County’s goal. 

The game started fast with a corner kick 20 seconds into the first half, followed by the first goal kick in the second minute by junior goalkeeper Brayden Black, followed by junior defender Max Oliver clearing the ball out of the Warhawks’ danger zone. 

Veterans led off the first half with a goal by sophomore midfielder Camren Laris, who senior forward Carter Morningstar set up to put the Warhawks ahead 1-0.

In the 16th minute of the first half, Harris County brought Veterans to a halt at midfield as they forced the ball out to give the Tigers a throw-in into Warhawk territory. The ball was cleared to the Tigers’ side of the field, with Seth Cooker credited for the save.

Sophomore David Drake showed his dominance in the box by heading a lob into the goal to give the Warhawks a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute of the first half. 

That stayed the score at the half, but the game heated up in the second as Harris County attempted to make a comeback.

Harris County tried to close the gap in the 51st minute, but Black made a heart-stopping save to preserve the shutout.

In the 54th minute, the Warhawks tried to add to their score, but Bryson Chapman cleared the ball for the Tigers.

Veterans scored their third and final goal in the 60th minute with a header after a freekick by junior defender Max Oliver. 

In one last desperate attempt to score by the Tigers, they shoot their shot into the bottom right corner of the net, but Black intercepts the ball to secure the 3-0 shutout against Harris County.

“They’re still young and need to play together as well as learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I think they accomplished that tonight, and it’s nice to have the win…That’s what the beginning of the season is about, finding the pieces that fit best and who works well together,” Head coach Matt Roth said of what his team did well against the Tigers.

Roth went on to praise all aspects of the field, stating that the midfield had control of the game and the offense had “pretty dynamic scores” and continued praising the defensive line for their outstanding performance.

UP NEXT

The Warhawks will hit the pitch again against Coffee County in a tournament game on Friday and again on Saturday, Feb. 10, against ACE at 10:30 a.m.

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