MONTICELLO, Ark. – In a series that has been all Warren over the last decade, the Warren Lumberjack Soccer Club won its 10th consecutive Saline River Derby on Thursday night, delivering a resounding 6-0 result over the Monticello Billies on April 13, 2023, on the road at Monticello’s Hyatt Field.
Warren shot out of the gate once again with another fast start, this one perhaps even quicker than the two early goals versus Mills last week.
Top photo: Miguel Mendoza scores Warren’s opening goal at Monticello Thursday night. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.
By Rob Reep
Saline River Chronicle
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In the very first minute of play, Lumberjack Miguel Mendoza headed home an effort from close range. The opener came from some nice play down the right wing, but Mendoza did well to nod it past the Monticello keeper to give Warren a 1-0 lead.
The second goal came just a minute later. Jose Garcia floated to the interior of the penalty box, received the ball, and was clear of sight with an open goal after the keeper overcommitted. Garcia was hacked down from behind with the official’s whistle blowing as he pointed to the spot.
Mendoza stepped up to take the penalty, which he calmly chipped in for his and Warren’s second goal of the evening.
Mendoza nearly got his hat trick in the 6th minute. The Warren striker beat a central defender and put an effort past the keeper. The shot cannoned off the far post, however, to keep things at 2-0 Lumberjacks.
The Jacks kept up the high press, which Monticello failed to cope with. Possession was nearly all Warren throughout the opening 20 minutes. There wasn’t a space on the field that the orange and black didn’t own.
In the 20th minute, Warren winger Tarion Marshall shot down the left flank. He cut the ball back inside and picked out a lovely pass to Warren’s Jose Garcia, who was firing down the opposite side. Garcia lined a stunning shot into the top left netting to make it 3-0 Jacks.
Although he had very little to do in the opening half, Warren keeper Jessi Cortes made a low save in the 22nd. When called into action, Cortes was always ready.
Warren’s central defense was so rock-solid that left-back Bryan Reynosa was able to leave his back four post and overlap in the attack, which nearly resulted in a goal for him in the 35th minute. His shot, however, was blocked, and the rebound put just over the bar.
Lumberjack Alann Juarez, who’s found a real home in the midfield, came very close to scoring in the 37th minute from a corner. His headed effort was just cleared off the line by the Billies.
Warren led 3-0 at the halftime break.
Less than 60 seconds into the restart, Mendoza played a ball wide right to Garcia, who delivered it net-bound for Warren’s fourth of the night.
In the 45th minute, Juarez worked the ball down the right wing and played a pass to Mendoza near the six-yard box. Mendoza hammered it into the roof of the net to solidify his hat-trick and give the Jacks a 5-0 advantage.
Warren made a large batch of subs near the 47th minute. The game opened up a bit at both ends. Cortes made six outstanding saves between the 49th minute and the 70th to keep the clean sheet intact.
Freshman Daniel Castillo prodded home Warren’s final goal of the game in the 75th minute. At the full-time whistle, the Lumberjacks booked a 6-0 Saline River Derby win over Monticello.
The Jacks now hold a 6-2-1 overall record but remain undefeated in the 4A East Conference at 5-0. They have a quick turnaround as they travel to Hamburg Friday night, April 14, for a massive 4A East Conference clash with the Hamburg Lions, one of Warren’s traditional rivals for the title year in and year out. That match is set to kick off immediately following the Lady Jack match vs. Hamburg, which starts at 5:00 pm.