While rivalries come in many shapes and sizes and have different levels of intensity, it’s well-known throughout Warren County that anytime the Warrenton Warriors and Wright City Wildcats compete, interest is always high. 

On Monday night, the schools’ girls soccer teams got together in what was eventually a 2-1 victory for Wright City. 

With goals from Hannah Kendall and Alex Sutter, the Wildcats won the game thanks to strong performances up and down the lineup. 

“This was an entire team win. Every single player on the field contributed everything they had to win this game,” said coach Devin Raney. “If I had to pick three players of the game though, first would be Lauren Brookman in goal. She absolutely stood on her head. Sophomore Katy Novak would be second. She came in as relief, and had a heck of a game as well. She added a speed and feistiness that we needed late in the game. If it wasn’t for her, we would have been tied or worse, but she dug balls out and moved them up field in a hurry and out of trouble. 

“Lastly, senior Allexus Donnelly had a great game on right wing setting up the game winning goal.”

With his team now 5-7 on the season, Raney believes that the work his team has put in is beginning to produce results. 

“I cannot express how proud I am of each and every player we have, and I’m happy to see their hard work pay off,” he said. “Having this technically be our second season of the program, Coach (Zachary) Gorman and I have been very straightforward with the girls. We have stressed the importance of looking for small successes within the game when things are going rough, and that ‘taking our lumps’ is necessary to grow as a player in this game. When you get to see that hard work pay off, it’s something special.”

For the Warriors, Maddie Lombardo scored the team’s lone goal. 

Now 3-13 on the year, coach Amy Wargowsky thought her team played well but couldn’t convert when they had opportunities.

“We controlled the field of play for most of the game but could not find the back of the net,” she said. “And ultimately that is how you win games.”

As for the rivalry, Wargowsky knows that the soccer version of Warrenton versus Wright City is just beginning to take off. 

“It has only been in existence for two years and we are now 1-1,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to play them every year.”

Raney recognizes the value his team and community puts on every contest with Warrenton. 

“Every game in every sport played between these two schools feels like it has the world riding on it,” he said. “This game was one the girls had marked on their calendars since day one. Finding success against Warrenton hasn’t come easy, so walking away with a victory today made this one of my favorite games we have played. There’s nothing quite like a rivalry game win, so I’m glad the girls got to experience it.”