Maci McBride battles for the ball during Tuesday’s win over Notre Dame.
Scheduling on Senior Night is always tricky. Sometimes coaches err on the side of caution, looking for an easy win to make sure the last night at home ends in victory. Other times, it's a tough test - a big-time battle right before the postseason as an ultimate final test.
The Lady Pioneers made sure they got both Tuesday night.
Warren County traded blows all night with Notre Dame, ultimately coming out with a 2-1 victory at home to improve to 10-2-1 overall. The Lady Pioneers led 1-0 at halftime thanks to an all-out effort play from Emory MacDonald, while Noelle Bratcher's penalty kick with 19:43 remaining ultimately provided the game winner.
Notre Dame, which fell to 9-3, got a PK with 3:10 left, but the Lady Pioneers held firm at home to make sure their seniors went out on a high note.
"It's just kind of the same thing we've seen all year. It's just resilience, kind of hanging in there and just fighting to the end," said coach Todd Willmore. "That's all you can ask for, and I'm pleased with the effort. (It was a) Quality team making us work for everything, so it's just nice to see."
The night started with a celebration as Warren County honored its nine seniors - Maci McBride, Mayliah Manier, Dayana Esparza, Zoey Snider, Marylou Margeson, Chloe Wanamaker, Addi Steakley, Liyah Johnson and Lily Moore.
Wanamaker's moment was especially moving for fans and teammates.
Last year's leading scorer has been out all season after undergoing two knee procedures following an injury during flag football in the spring. On Senior Night, Wanamaker was briefly able to join her teammates on the field and get a final curtain call on what had been a strong career as a Lady Pioneer.
And while many of the seniors ultimately retreated to the sidelines to cheer on the win, two stalwarts of the lineup - McBride and Steakley - went wire to wire in the victory.
For McBride, the physicality of Notre Dame was something Warren County was prepared to match.
"They were bigger than us, but, you know, I feel like we had the speed and the strength for it," said McBride.
Steakley pointed to Warren County's ability to move the ball from side to side as a reason the Lady Pioneers were able to control much of the action.
"We really utilized switching the field and dropping when we could to play forward," said Steakley.
It was also a battle that seemed to hinge on which side could get the other to crack first. MacDonald took care of that midway through the first half.
With all-out effort and a keen understanding of where the play was developing, the team's energizer tracked down a ball deep in Notre Dame territory. MacDonald quickly turned and played a dangerous ball through the defense, sending the keeper and a defender diving in an attempt to stop it.
Instead, the ball was knocked in by the Notre Dame defense, giving Warren County a 1-0 advantage.
The lead held until halftime, when an already chippy game - including Notre Dame's coach receiving a yellow card before the break - became even more physical.
That suited the Lady Pioneers just fine.
Warren County has spent the season building its identity around being willing to battle, something Willmore believes his players now understand isn't optional if they want to win.
"Fortunately, they've just been showing up and just doing it," said Willmore. "There's been times when I've had to get after them a bit. But for the most part, I think they've bought into that's how we have to play to be successful, and they understand that.
"They just come in and compete every night. So that's kind of fun to coach a team like that."
It became a battle of wills and resilience in the second half.
Both teams had goals erased by penalties during the opening 20 minutes, keeping Warren County's advantage at one despite the action picking up on both ends. Then the Lady Pioneers finally forced Notre Dame to crack again.
A Warren County player was dragged down by the keeper in the box, putting Bratcher at the penalty spot with an opportunity to provide some breathing room.
The junior made it count.
Bratcher sent a low liner into the left side of the net with 19:43 remaining, pushing Warren County's advantage to 2-0 and giving the Lady Pioneers an important insurance goal.
Notre Dame made sure Senior Night wouldn't end without some late tension. The visitors were awarded a penalty kick with 3:10 remaining and converted to cut the lead to one.
Warren County never allowed a serious chance at an equalizer.
The final whistle set off another celebration for a team that has made gritty victories a habit this season. This one carried a little extra meaning for the seniors who have spent years together in the program.
"I loved it so much," said McBride of getting the senior group together on the field. "I love coming out here as a team because that's the ones we started with, and it was great."
"It made it feel really special for us, all the girls," added Steakley.
Their coach also had a special appreciation for the work they’ve put in this season.
“This is a special group of girls who have been an absolute joy to coach,” said Willmore. “They always have a smile on their faces and genuinely enjoy being around one another. Their positive attitudes and enthusiasm make my job as their coach so much easier and more enjoyable.
“I truly appreciate each and every one of them, and I’m excited to see them all take the field together. It has been a privilege to be part of their journey, and look forward to celebrating and honoring them on Senior Night.”
Before the Lady Pioneers turn their full attention toward the postseason, two more road trips await. Warren County will travel to Soddy Daisy Thursday before finishing the regular season in Sparta against White County Oct. 6.
