[01/29/01] CLINTON Warren Central’s offensive woes finally caught up Saturday at Traceway Park.

Megan Sandroni scored on an assist from Megan Black 17 minutes into the first half to lift top-ranked Clinton (12-2-3) to a 1-0 win and the Division 3-5A title. The Lady Vikes (9-9-1) were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss.

“This has been a very tough week for us,” Clinton coach Thomas Bobo said. “We’ve played Vicksburg, Madison Central and Warren Central all in the same week and today we were a little flat. Physically, we were really worn out.”

Clinton attempted just nine shots, but the speedy Lady Arrows kept WC from threatening the entire game.

WC had its best scoring chances midway through the second half, but three straight corner kicks resulted in no shots for the Lady Vikes. WC attempted just four shots, but Clinton goalie Mallory Blackmon was not challenged on the shots.

“I thought we played well and hustled,” Warren Central coach Holly Lane said. “It’s just like the whole season, we have trouble finishing.”

Courtney Hubert made five saves for the Lady Vikes, but was unable to corral Sandroni’s shot.

Black kicked the ball across the goal mouth where Sandroni tapped it in the left corner just past Hubert’s outstretched arms.

The Lady Arrows will face either Starkville or Columbus in the first round of the playoffs. Vicksburg will travel to No. 6 Tupelo.