By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorThrough the first 160 minutes of action to open the season, John Schulte’s squad had yet to allow a goal with Sawyer Junker in net.The senior goalkeeper totaled 12 saves, many of which were diving stops and gutsy leaps into heavy traffic, in an 8-0 win over Fulton and a scoreless tie against Ritenour.However, in the final two contests of the Fort Zumwalt round-robin tournament against Lutheran St. Charles and Missouri Military Academy, 14 goals were allowed as the Warriors finished 0-2-1 in the tournament and lost one of their leaders.Junker went down with a season-ending injury before halftime in Wednesday’s match against Lutheran St. Charles as he was accidentally kneed in the face while running up to stop a charge at goal by his opposition. Junker suffered a fractured jaw, which required metal plates to be put in.“He was a leader for our team and our captain,” Head Coach Eric Schulte said. “He did a fantastic job in the net. To lose him in his senior year definitely hurts our team. But we are a team and have to rally around our new goalie Matt Dildine and play stronger.”After trailing 5-0 at halftime, the Warriors bounced back with four second-half goals and nearly had a chance to tie with Dildine keeping his composure in front of the net.Senior forward Dillen Mayfield broke Warrenton’s all-time scoring record in the second period just three minutes in as he took a pass from Nick Forrest and immediately shot the ball to the back of the net. The goal was the 38th of Mayfield’s career to break a tie with Assistant Coach Greg Popp.Playing with high-strung emotions, Mayfield scored three consecutive goals in a span of seven minutes to cut the deficit to two. However, a late goal from Lutheran St. Charles pulled away with a late goal to win 6-4.“After Sawyer went out near the end of the first half it definitely affected us,” Mayfield said. “We regrouped at halftime and me and coach were talking to everyone about how we needed to finish the game playing with our hearts and our heads. It was about showing we had heart and fight, and of course, it was for Sawyer too.”While Warrenton ended the tournament with an 8-3 loss to MMA, Schulte’s squad is motivated to bounce back and grow as a team after the loss of a leader.“Things just haven’t been bouncing our way,” Schulte said. “We feel pretty strong about our offense and we just have to work on limiting our mistakes on defense.”Just a day after surgery to repair two breaks in his jaw and a broken hand, Junker surprised his teammates by attending the contest against MMA.“He’s definitely sad that his season is over, but he still supports this team 100 percent,” Mayfield said. “It was really nice to see him there at our game and we know he’s still a big part of this team.”With each and every game, Junker wants the Warriors to take advantage of every opportunity presented.“Even though I’m injured, I’m not going to take it easy on my teammates,” he said. “This injury gives you a reason to cherish every day and moment because, in an instant, it can be taken from you. I want our team to use me as some motivation.”Dildine will be one of many seeking advice from his sidelined teammate, who Warrenton will let return to the sideline when ready and help lead once again.“We need to rally around the people we have and pick it up for Sawyer,” Schulte said. “We want to win and play this season for Sawyer. He’s going to be on the sidelines and help train and get the goalies ready for games.”
Sawyer Junker's season came to a close after suffering a broken jaw in a match against Lutheran St. Charles. The Warrenton soccer team has dedicated the rest of the season for its goalkeeper, who had posted two shutouts in two of his three games he played in this year.
Submitted photo.
