Speed down the wings decisive as Lumberjacks open 2023 season with 5-1 win over Lakeside

LAKE VILLAGE, Ark. – A big second half offensive effort helped spur the Warren Lumberjack Soccer Club to their first win of the 2023 season as they defeated Lakeside of Lake Village 5-1 Monday evening, February 27 in the opening match of the season on the road.

Under the leadership of new head coach Shaun Wilson, the Lumberjacks looked confident with the ball in possession from the first minute. The Lumberjacks probed the left wing where Warren’s Tarion Marshall resided. A returning Lumberjack from the 2022 squad, Marshall’s pace stretched the Lakeside Beavers multiple times throughout the evening.

Top photo: Lumberjack winger Tarion Marshall lobs a cross into the box during the first half of Warren’s win over Lakeside Monday evening. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

By Rob Reep

Saline River Chronicle

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Things remained all knotted up at 0-0 through the first nine minutes. The Jacks got into some promising positions, but lacked the technical finish in the final third.

The Jacks won a free kick in a relatively benign central position some 50 yards from goal in the 10th minute. Senior defender Daniel Sosa took it and hammered a worldy of shot into the top right corner. Lakeside’s keeper scrambled but never stood a chance. Warren led 1-0.

Senior Lumberjack Daniel Sosa opened Warren’s 2023 scoring account with a blasted free kick in the first half vs. Lakeside. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Sosa’s goal gave a boost of energy to the Jack offensive attack. They piled on the pressure over the next five minutes and won a penalty for a Beaver handball in the 16th minute. However, the keeper guessed right on the kick to hold the game steady at 1-0 Warren.

Marshall continued to plague Lakeside’s right back down the wing. The pressure from Warren’s left winger was so worrisome to Lakeside that they finally backed off and played the lowest line a back four in defense can play, never leaving the edge of their own penalty box.

Still, the game went to the halftime break at just a 1-0 lead for Warren.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half Warren gained some insurance. Senior Moses Mendez found himself one-v-one with the keeper and slotted home Warren’s second goal of the game.

Marshall added a third for the Lumberjacks just six minutes later after a free kick drifted to the backside post where the winger was lingering. He poked the shot past the helpless goalie to give the orange and black a comfortable cushion.

Marshall provided the assist for Warren’s fourth goal of the night in the 59th minute. He shifted to the right wing, beat three Lakeside defenders fire a cross which was dispatched into the net by Lumberjack senior Jose Garcia with a calm right foot.

Senior Lumberjack Jose Garcia buries a cross into the net for Warren’s fourth goal of the night vs. Lakeside. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Lakeside pulled a goal back against the run of play in the 64th minute with a shot from some distance.

Miguel Mendoza powered home a fifth for the Lumberjacks late on in the 74th minute to shut-up-shop, as Warren went on to win 5-1.

Tarion Marshall was named the Que Lindo Michoacan Man of the Match.

The Lumberjacks move to 1-0 on the season. They will next travel to take on Conway next Tuesday, March 7. Kickoff will immediately follow the Lady Jacks game which starts at 5:00 p.m.