By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorBehind the gloves and shutdown force of Sawyer Junker, the Warrenton soccer team forced a scoreless tie with Ritenour Monday night in the Ft. Zumwalt North soccer tournament.With the Warriors offense struggling to find control and string together passes upon the opposing defense, which played tough and quick, Junker had to deny everything that came his way to avoid a loss.The senior goalkeeper had numerous diving saves and with eight minutes remaining, smothered up a shot attempt on a one-on-one situation. Not only did Junker have diving saves and catch dangerous crosses, but several times he came out of box to swat and boot a possible game-deciding threat away."I knew I needed to be a brick wall tonight," Junker said after the game. "I know I have the ability to carry the team, but I hope the next time out we can fill our offensive errors and shut down on defense and make it a little easier on me."With the 0-0 finish, the second contest of the season marked the second consecutive shutout for the sure-handed keeper. At one point Junker saved back-to-back-to-back shots on goal late in the match. Afterwards he and the other goalie exchanged words and marveled at how well each other played.Warrenton (1-0-1) owed much of the final outcome to the strong force in front of the net, who saved nine shots."Junker did a fantastic job tonight," Warriors Head Coach John Schulte said. "He was able to make about two or three fantastic saves. I can't say enough about what he did. Our team held up. Ritenour was quick and athletic."After an 8-0 win against Fulton in the season-opener the offense sputtered, but missed some very close situations against another strong defense and goalie.Nick Forrest missed a header by just a few feet in the first half. While the Ritenour goalie came out of box and couldn't stop the ball, Forrest's header went just wide right of the goal.Senior Dillen Mayfield also had two chances right in front of goal, but was denied three-feet away on his touch pass attempt at the keeper. His free kick in the final ten minutes was also stopped by an impressive dive by the keeper."We had a couple great chances," Schulte said. "Both goalkeepers were doing a good job and kind of doing what you expect from them. It was fun to watch them making those great saves."With a tie, both teams gained a point and still stand a chance to win the tournament, which concludes on Friday."We went up against a much better team tonight and they were very athletic and played with us," Schulte said. "I'm glad how we responded and didn't let this game slip away. We are anxious to get back out on the field and fix our mistakes and hopefully have a chance at winning this tournament."Warrenton will play Lutheran St. Charles next on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Warrenton forward Nick Forrest heads the soccer ball over defenders and the goalie in the first period, but it missed just off to the right side of the goal. The Warriors gained a point in the Ft. Zumwalt Tourney with a 0-0 finish against Ritenour Monday night. 

Patrick MacCoon photo.