District Champs!

Junior Nick Witten scored four goals for the Warriors in the District Championship.

The West Orange Warriors secured the 2017 District 11 title last Thursday with a dominate victory over their host, Montverde Academy, 14-4. The victory runs the Warriors record to 17-2 overall. WO was led by juniors Mikey Berkman and Nick Witten who each contributed four goals and an assist in the win.

After dispatching rival Apopka, 17-1, in the semifinal game the Warriors faced a talented Eagles team that was intent on winning the district title on their home turf. The first quarter was hotly contested with the Eagles striking first with a goal from Justin Williams off an assist from his brother Jordan. Less than two minutes later the Warriors would counter with senior Liam Mueller netting his lone goal of the night off an assist from Berkman. The first stanza would end with both teams deadlocked in a 1-1 tie.

The Warriors offense ignited in the second quarter, ripping three goals in under three minutes. Witten started the run with a shot off an assist from senior Daniel Luette. Thirty-four second later, Witten would dodge inside and score unassisted. Berkman capped the blitz off with an unassisted goal of his own. With under two minutes left in the half, Witten would add his third goal of the quarter, unassisted, bringing the score to 5-1.

All the while, the Warriors defense continued to smother the Eagles offense. Seniors Alex Kouchalakos and Jake Fromberg anchored the defensive line along with sophomore Robert Luette. Sophomore goalie Sam Malaussena put in an impressive first-half performance with five saves.

Berkman would continue the Warriors momentum early in the third quarter with another unassisted goal. However, the Eagles struck back in quick succession notching two goals in under thirty seconds to tighten the score to 6-3. Undeterred, WO answered the challenge first with a goal from senior Mike Ross off an assist from Witten. Berkman and Witten would add unassisted goals of their own to bring the quarter to an end with a 9-3 advantage to the Warriors.

The Warriors locked-up the title with an impressive five-goal fourth quarter. Ross started off with a goal from Luette. Luette cranked in a goal of his own off an assist from senior Zach Malaussena. Luette would next dish out his game-high third assist to junior Ryan Burdon. Sophomore Matt Nastasi finished on the doorstep off a nifty feed from Mueller and Berkman would end the evening with an unassisted goal.

In their two-game district playoff run, the Warriors outscored their opponents 31-5 en route to their fifth title in six years. Berkman tallied nine goals and four assists in the district run. Witten compiled six goals and three assists in his efforts. Other top scorers for the Warriors in the district tournament included Luette (4g/4a) and Mueller (6g/1a).

The Warriors will face Bishop Moore in the first round of the state playoffs on Thursday, April 13. The game will be held at Bishop Moore and is scheduled for a 7:30pm start time.