CROSSETT, Ark. – Flying high from an ideal start to the 4A East Conference schedule, the Warren Lumberjacks added another win to the column, defeating Crossett on the road by the final score of 2-0 on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

In a game which could prove vital in terms of the Conference title race come the end of the season, Warren’s Lumberjack Soccer Club knew full well they were walking into a hostile atmosphere on Thursday, under the lights in front of a rowdy Crossett crowd. The philosophy for the Jacks has been just one game at a time.

Top photo: Warren’s Alann Juarez grabs the Lumberjacks’ first goal vs. Crossett Thursday evening. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

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A crazy first half of football began in the second minute as Warren’s Alann Juarez sent a bullet into the side netting from a free kick. Juarez has been drifting between striker and midfield, and Thursday was no different. He adjusted in both positions throughout the match.

In the 5th minute, Jose Garcia and Christian Sandoval were booked.

The two yellows didn’t slow Warren’s aggression down in the final third. Juarez got on the end of a free kick in the 8th minute, took a step or two, and hammered a low shot that took a nick off a Crossett defender, which sent it just wide of the goal.

Warren keeper Jessie Cortes was called into action for the first time in the 14th minute. Cortes made easy work of the job to keep things square at 0-0. The Eagles put together a nice little five or ten-minute spell. In the 16th minute, Cortes again had to guard his goal as Crossett hit a shot on target. Cortes went to his left and made arguably his best save of the night, falling and catching the shot.

Both teams traded blows back and forth, and the game became a bit stretched with chances at each end. Warren made an interesting move around the 20th minute. Bryan Reynoso, who typically features at left-back, shifted into the midfield. It was a move that seemed to work. Reynoso is tidy on the ball and can be an efficient tackler.

Warren’s Aaron Romero picked up a yellow card in the 25th minute, and suddenly Warren began to feel the pressure of bookings so early in the match. But that wasn’t the last of the card issues. The Jacks picked up another in the 26th, though it was unclear who that one was issued to. Miguel Mendoza was then handed a yellow card in the 29th minute for apparent dissent. The Jacks picked up five yellows in all in the first half, some warranted, others questionable. Luckily it didn’t have a major effect on the game, but a few seemed a bit harsh.

At the midway point, both teams remained all square at 0-0.

There was no sign of Warren being burdened with five yellow cards in the second half. The Jacks came out on the front foot and laid down a marker, letting Crossett know the intensity that would be required to stay in the match for another 40 minutes.

The orange and black’s first chance of the second half came from a set-piece play. A free-kick was awarded from about 25 yards out, but the kick sailed high.

Daniel Sosa took another Warren free-kick in the 48th minute from just outside of the penalty box. His powerful curling effort hit the side netting, but Warren was clearly knocking on the door and asking questions of the Eagles.

The question was answered in the 53rd minute. A bouncing ball into the Crossett penalty box was on its way to the keeper when Juarez pushed through and applied a little pressure. The Crossett goalkeeper buckled, missed the ball, leaving Juarez through on goal. He toe-poked the ball home into an open net to give Warren a 1-0 lead.

Crossett had no time to consider an equalizer. In the blink of an eye, the Jacks found their second. In the 55th minute, Aaron Romero received a beautiful through ball down the right flank. One-v-one with the keeper, he cut a low shot home to make it 2-0 as the Warren crowd erupted in applause.

Over the next 25 minutes, the Jacks pressed relentlessly, nearly adding a third insurance policy multiple times. A number of reserves came in from the bench to provide valuable minutes. Among them was Daniel Castillo, who had a particularly good game. His work rate was phenomenal.

Another intriguing change happened late on in the second half. Bryan Reynoso once again shifted position. This time he drifted forward into almost a false nine striker setup.

Warren’s Cortes made another save in the 65th and 74th minutes. His performance and clean sheet earned him Que Lindo Michoacan Man of the Match honors.

Warren saw the match out with ease, winning at the final whistle 2-0.

They move to 4-2-1 overall, but more importantly, the Jacks sit at 3-0 in the 4A East Conference. They will next take on Little Rock Mills Tuesday, April 3. Kickoff will immediately follow the Lady Jacks’ game that starts at 5:00 pm. The Jacks currently are in first place in the 4A East Conference.

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