ELKHART – Everyone agrees that Harrison Mevis has a bright future on the football field.

The Warsaw sophomore also has a bright future, at least for the time being, on the futbol field too.

Keeper Mevis was outstanding in the goal Tuesday night to help his Tigers earn a tough 1-0 win over Elkhart Memorial in Northern Lakes Conference play.

Mevis, who doubles as the do-it-all talented kicker for the Tigers on Friday nights, turned away several key chances for the home team in the final half to preserve the shutout win.

The biggest play of the evening though from the goalie came less than a minute into the final half. With the teams deadlocked at 0-0, Mevis made a brilliant diving save to his left to thwart a penalty kick chance for the Crimson Chargers.

Warsaw then tallied the game winning goal on a penalty kick chance of their own just 31 seconds later.

Senior Eric O’cock drilled home the difference maker with 39:03 to play to give his team a 1-0 lead that held until the final horn.

The Tigers, who have won their last four games, improve to 6-3- 2 overall and stand at 1-2 in NLC action. Memorial drops to 2-5-2 overall and sits at 0-3 in league play.

Mevis also got some help from teammate Payne Rager to preserve the shutout. The junior defender made an outstanding, diving clear of a putback shot attempt by Memorial with about 20 minutes to play.

“That’s what you want your players to do, sell out like that to save a goal,” said Warsaw coach Frank Courtois of the tremendous effort by Rager.

“Our goalie (Mevis) just made so many saves tonight to keep us in the game. He stepped up to stop that PK. Memorial was putting pressure on us over the top and had several opportunities in that second half.”

Warsaw did not find any luck in an opening half that the Tigers dominated. The guests easily could have been up by at least a pair of goals at halftime as a header by Tedros Berelsman hit off the top crossbar and a shot by Garrett Reinholt caromed off a side post.

“We had so many chances in that first half,” noted Courtois. “It tells you that we still need to work on finishing.”

“I thought that we were a little tired in the second half. We were not quicker to the ball. But we have a young team and we need to keep building experience. Time will tell, but our focus is on getting ready for the postseason.”

Memorial had a pair of excellent chances to tie the match in the final 13 minutes after a pouring rain hit the field with about 15 minutes to play. A header by Israel Lopez-Sanchez first sailed over the goal for the hosts and then Mevis made a stop of a point blank header shot by Memroai’s Juan Diaz with about four minutes to play.

Mevis came up clutch with 13 saves for the Tigers on the night.

The Crimson Chargers have scored just five goals now in their nine matches.

Warsaw has lost to Concord (5-1) and Plymouth (3-1) in NLC action. Memorial has league losses to Concord (3-0) and Goshen (3-1).

Warsaw won the junior varsity contest by a 4-3 count. All seven goals were scored in the opening half. Jose Lara had two goals and one assist to lead the Warsaw JV victory. Zachary LaLonde had a goal and an assist and Brennan Cox a goal for the Tigers.

Warsaw hosts Valparaiso Saturday in a non-conference match. The Tigers then host NorthWood Sept. 12 in a conference contest. Memorial hosts league foe Northridge Thursday night.