WARREN, Ark. – Warren’s Lumberjack Soccer Club defeated Monticello 7-1 Tuesday night, April 26, 2022 to win the Saline River Derby, the annual rivalry match between the neighboring school’s soccer programs, on what was also senior night for Warren, and their final home match of the season.
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The orange and black created havoc on the Billies from start to finish. The earliest foreshadowing of the eventual scoreline came just two minutes in. Jose Garcia, Warren’s speedy right winger, hammered a shot off the cross bar.
The Lumberjacks kept up the pressure in the early stages, not letting Monticello’s back four get a moments rest. The high press paid off in the thirteenth minute. Moises Mendez lined a beauty of a shot top shelf from twenty-five yards out to put Warren up 1-0.
Garcia’s pace down the right wing caused even more issues for Monticello’s defense. Two minutes later he chased down a ball deep into the final third, cut inside and was taken down. The referees whistle blew and he pointed to the spot. Senior central attacking midfielder Hector Torres stepped up and buried the penalty to make it 2-0 Jacks.
Aaron Romero scored a third for the orange and black near the end of the first half. With the keeper drawn out he placed the ball into the open net. Warren led 3-0 at the half.
After the restart, Warren defender Daniel Sosa headed home a lovely effort from a Warren corner to extend the Lumberjack lead to 4-0.
Ten minutes later striker Alann Juarez knocked home another goal, this time from a loose ball not dealt with by the Billie defense from a corner.
Torres scored another for the Lumberjacks in the seventy-first.
Monticello did get a consolation goal late on, but Cristian Sandoval added once more to Warren’s tally with two minutes to go. Warren went on to win at the final whistle by the score of 7-1.
The win sets up a big match Friday on the road at Star City with playoff implications on the line.
Top photo: Warren’s Jose Garcia takes a shot during the first half against Monticello.
