Winning isn't always defined by what happens on the field.
For Howard soccer coach Curtis Warner, the things his players achieved in the classroom and how they have positively changed the school's culture this year were a far better measure of success.
The Hustlin' Tigers' soccer season came to an end Tuesday night at home with a 5-2 loss to Loudon in a Region 3-A/AA semifinal.
"It's not really a loss for me," Warner said. "Nobody expected us to win the district championship. We've excelled more this year than we ever have. I have kids that are on the honor roll; all four seniors are going to graduate. Those are the things I'm really proud of."
Howard (9-5) dug itself an early hole when Loudon's Ivan Navarrete scored on a penalty kick at the 10-minute mark to put the visitors up 1-0.
The goal seemed to wake up the Hustlin' Tigers, as they became more aggressive on the offensive end. Neyder Gonzalez scored the equalizer nine minutes later on an assist from Amilcar Juarez, and the teams went into halftime 1-1.
"The early goal was very important," Loudon coach Yoni Espinoza said. "But then we fell asleep after that. I told them at halftime we had to play our game. If the team is better than us, then they're better than us, but we have to play our game."
Loudon (10-9-6) came out more physical and aggressive in the second half, scoring three goals in the first seven minutes. All three goals came on putbacks after goalkeeper deflections.
Howard keeper Jaime Gomez played with an injured hand that limited his ability to corral shots on goal. He was one of a handful of Hustlin' Tigers battling physical issues.
"We took a beating in the district championship," Warner said. "We had a few guys that couldn't play today and others that I had to take out. We tried to have a light practice yesterday, but it wasn't enough."
Gonzalez added a second goal on a penalty kick with two minutes left, but it was too little, too late. Loudon finished the game taking twice as many shots as Howard at 28-14.
"This game right here shows these young men where we need to go and what you have to do to get there," Warner said. "When they play, they put their heart out there. The fans see it, the students see it and the teachers love it. It has encouraged the entire school.
"Yeah, we lost," he added. "But what they can always say to themselves is that they were champions. That's what these guys get to take home with them. Howard hasn't been able to say that in a long time."
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com