Warren County blanks Blue Devils

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Tatsuro Kusunoki (21) controls the ball while teammate Rhett Turner holds off a Lebanon defender during Thursday’s District 7-AAA match in Lebanon. The Pioneers won, 2-0. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

LEBANON — Warren County picked up its second win of the season Thursday afternoon, as it used its defense to shut down Lebanon’s Blue Devils on the way to a 2-0 win.

“This was a very good win for this team and our defense dominated most of the game,” said coach Keith Hamilton. “We still have some work to do in order to be the team we can be, but the guys played a very solid game tonight.

“We have to learn to finish on offense and we’re still holding on to the ball too long. Our passing still needs work and sometimes this team is too hard on themselves. But our play keeps getting better every week and that’s all you can ask for.”

The Pioneers’ aggressive play on defense gave Warren County’s offense a chance to control much of the first half. The Pioneers didn’t give Lebanon much of a chance to take a shot at goal during the half, as the Blue Devils had just two attempts in the half.

Warren County struck with 28 minutes into the half when T.J. Black found the back of the net to put the Pioneers up 1-0. Warren County had two more attempts before the half, but the big story was the Pioneers defense, which shut out Lebanon in the first period.

Warren County started the second half just like the first, with very aggressive play. It didn’t take the Pioneers long to score, as Tatsuro Kusunoki fired a shot past the Blue Devil goalie 11 minutes into the second half for a 2-0 lead.

Warren County stayed in control as the second half became more physical. With 10 minutes left in the game Lebanon picked up the tempo of the game, but Warren County answered the call as the defense kept Lebanon on its side of the field. The Blue Devils had two shots at goal late in the half but Warren County held on for the shutout.

Warren County had nine shots on goal while Pioneer goalie Jonathan Bratcher had two saves. The Pioneers will be in action Tuesday at home as they take on Siegel with the varsity starting at 7 p.m.