For the first time this decade, the Warren Central Lady Vikes are in position to host a game in the MHSAA Class 6A soccer playoffs.

Aryn Greer and Madelyn Polk both scored goals as the Lady Vikes beat Clinton for the first time in more than a decade Tuesday, 2-1. They clinched the Region 4-6A championship and will play a first-round game at home when the playoffs begin on Jan. 29.

“The girls played their hearts out. We had a long talk (Monday) where we said these are the things we’ve got to do better. And I promise you, they did everything that they were asked to do,” Warren Central coach Greg Head said. “I’m proud of them. These girls stepped up and probably played the best game they’ve played all year. They were outhustling Clinton to the ball and that’s how we won.”

Clinton (11-3-3, 1-1 Region 4-6A) had won every game it played against WC(8-3-2) since the mid-2000s. The Lady Vikes, in fact, had only scored one goal in their last 12 games in the series, and that was back in 2014.

Early in Tuesday’s game it looked like it might be more of the same. Clinton scored on its first shot and led 1-0 just 2 ½ minutes in. From there, however, the Lady Vikes buckled down and made the most of their few opportunities while limiting their opponent’s.

Greer scored on a free kick two minutes into the second half to tie the game and, in the 58th minute, Polk made a run down the sideline that ended with the go-ahead goal.
Keeper Layken Stockstill made three saves in the final stretch and six in the game to preserve the win. Clinton outshot the Lady Vikes 10-4. Head praised his defense for limiting the quality of the shots Stockstill had to face.

“We knew they were good about taking shots outside the 18, so we were closing down on them fast enough to not let them take shots,” Head said.
Warren Central will go across town to play Vicksburg Friday at 5:30 p.m.