Argos forward Vincent Stone was zipping past Warsaw defenders at will Tuesday, scoring a goal and helping two others in a 4-1 Argos win over Warsaw in boys soccer. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – They don’t play each other hardly ever. And after Tuesday night, Warsaw might not want to revisit the idea.

Argos, which enter the campaign seasoned from a Class-A Final Four appearance last year, made several opportunities count in a convincing 4-1 boys soccer win over Warsaw.

Eric Ocock of Warsaw wins a header against Argos.

A stunned Warsaw side after 11 minutes had the visitors sitting up 1-0 when a botched clearance by the Tigers in its defensive third landed at the foot of Spencer VanDerWeele. Needing just a touch, the senior mid put his club up, and it would only permeate from there.

Argos nearly made it 2-0 minutes later if not for the quick reflexes of Tiger keeper Bailey Berelsman, who made two super saves from close range. But a poorly executed tackle in the box at the 22-minute mark had Vincent Stone standing over a penalty kick, which he buried for the two-goal lead. Stone would get free behind the Tiger defense in the 31st minute and force Berelsman to save at point-blank range, only for the rebound to trickle to Chandler Campbell for the tuck in.

At 3-0, Warsaw were in deep trouble, and stunned to have the small-school powerhouse having its way.

Warsaw would get one back four minutes before the half, with Eric Ocock taking a nicely placed through pass and beating a frozen Kyle Fishburn to slice the lead to 3-1 at the break.

Campbell would check in with his second goal of the game much in the same fashion as the first. Stone uncorked a shot that was blocked, only for Campbell to take the rebound and pound it home.

For all the celebrations for Argos, its season could be on the brink. An unfortunate set of fortunes had Dragon defender Alex Stone writhing in pain out of halftime, complaining of discomfort in his lower back and spinal area. Alex, the older brother to Vincent, sat in disbelief as little brother left the pitch in the 67th minute stating he heard his shoulder “crack” and his arm numb after a collision with Berelsman. Vincent Stone was easily the most dangerous player on the Argos attack, but could be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Ricardo Saldivar of the Warsaw JV sends a header toward goal in Warsaw’s 4-0 JV win over Argos.

“At the beginning we talked to watch (Stone),” said Warsaw head coach Frank Courtois. “We were slow. We payed for it. Cant take it back. I told the kids he will be a threat. He was a threat and he was the one who won the game for them.”

Argos outshot Warsaw 13-6, but the Tigers forced eight corners and took six shots of its own in what became a wide open second half. Warsaw made Fishburn make eight saves including two tremendous efforts in the 16th minute when Joaquin Juarez had a one-on-one attempt blocked and Fishburn diving to save the rebound attempt by Brad Ocock.

Courtois made note of moments like that, and added with just three returners from a season ago, there was much to take.

“We have a bunch of kids who are responding well,” Courtois said. “The attitude is great, I like that. It is just going to take time and training to get us back on the same page. That might take two or three games to get us to where we need to be.”

The Warsaw JV had a fantastic start to its season, posting a 4-0 victory over Argos in the first game of the day. Four Tigers found the scoresheet in goals from Garrett Reinholt, Alvaro Aguillon, Isaiah VanPullelen and Mark McQuade.

Warsaw (0-1) will return to action Saturday at the Bishop Luers Invite.

Garrett Reinholt of Warsaw unloads a shot on Argos during the JV game.