A Belpre player connects toward the direction of Warren’s Reme Fairbanks during a high school soccer match, Wednesday at Warren High School. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

VINCENT — Warren soccer took more notice than usual working on corner kicks the day prior to its matchup at home Wednesday with Belpre.

Turns out at game time, the Warriors executed with flying colors after scoring three first-half goals, including the first two of the match, off corner kicks in a 10-0 win over the Golden Eagles.

Gabe Gandee, Ashton Barrow and Zack Holman sent the ball right where it needed to be in the crease for the assists off corner kicks, while Reme Fairbanks, Max Himmeldirk and Zane Ott managed to get a touch inside the box among a host of players for the connecting goals.

The Warriors scored five goals in each half and improved to 7-4-2.

“Corner kicks are something we prioritize this year,” Warren coach Ben Atkinson said. “We actually worked on it yesterday in practice. We were really dangerous at the beginning of the year then didn’t have as much success. Even though we were running the same thing.

Warren’s Ian Gardner tries to keep the ball away from Belpre defender Erica Mossor (3) during a high school soccer match, Wednesday at Warren High School.(Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“It’s all about repetition – getting it in over and over is what made it successful at the end of the day.”

Belpre (4-9-0) entered the matchup on a four-game losing streak despite holding a 2-0 lead over Monroe Central late in the first half of Monday’s match which was suspended until next Wednesday.

According to coach Regan Turner, the progression between the opening match of the season and where they are sitting currently is like night and day.

“It’s so funny that is mentioned – we were just talking about that the other day the improvement from our first game versus this game,” Turner said. “In our first game, it was about individuals playing on the field. There was an ‘I’ in team and they were proof of that. It wasn’t because of selfishness. It was pure lack of experience at that point of the season. We weren’t sure how we were going to gel as a team.

“In these recent games, oh my gosh, we have been passing the ball consistently through the middle. We have been working on set pieces, which didn’t feel great today, but it’s seeing those things like coming to the ball or being a little bit more aggressive – that’s been our biggest development. We are working as a team.”

Belpre keeper Hunter Terrell, far right, collects a shot on goal during a high school soccer match, Wednesday at Warren High School. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Warren’s attack kept Belpre keeper Hunter Terrell busy throughout. The senior faced 26 shots on goal in addition to one shot attempt which ricocheted off the net standard and out of bounds. He finished with 16 saves. The Warriors finished with 15 corner kicks.

Fairbanks and Ott led Warren with multiple goals after scoring two apiece.

“Tonight was about setting the tone and trying to keep the ball and play the way we want to play,” said Atkinson, who has a full week to prepare his players for their next match scheduled for Oct. 2 at home against Bloom-Carroll. “We picked up Bloom-Carroll because they are a division three opponent and they are pretty decent. They tied Fairland, who we beat 1-0, so they are going to be good. They are over in the Columbus area, so they are always going to have bigger kids. I’m sure they will have a lot of physicality and some good skilled players.

“Hopefully, we can perform and win.”

In the Warren loss, Belpre played without three starters who were injured. Coach Turner doesn’t necessarily feel the outcome would have changed, but certain areas were a bit out of sync.

Belpre’s Nolan Rodgers (2) dribbles against Warren defender Zack Holman during a high school soccer match, Wednesday at Warren High School. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“We have been on the receiving end of this score and obviously on the giving end,” Turner said. “The thing I love about these kids is that they are so humble. Clearly the score is not what we wanted. We just have to take it as a learning experience and move forward.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com