The top seeded Greenwood Lady Gators didn’t let an early deficit deter them, bouncing back to beat host Warren Central 3-1 in the District 14 girls’ soccer tournament Tuesday at Warren Central High School.

Greenwood used a stifling offensive attack to overcome an early Warren Central goal and move into Thursday’s championship game. With the victory, the Lady Gators also advance to the Region 4 tournament, which begins Monday at Greenwood High School.

“It’s exciting to get to host the regionals,” Greenwood coach Zach Salchli said. “We are really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a really fun week and the seniors get another shot on their home field, which adds a little excitement. I think you saw that tonight with Central. The home field brings something to you. The Central girls played amazing and I’m hoping that’s what we do next week.”

Greenwood (12-3-1) beat the Lady Dragons 9-0 in the regular season, but found itself locked in a battle despite outshooting Warren Central 40-1 — with a 28-1 advantage in shots on goal.

“There is a reason they are a top-15 team in state,” Warren Central coach Alex Tungate said. “They are a fantastic team, but I think we really came out and represented well for Warren Central. The first time we played them it was 9-0 and it really should have been 10-0. I’m incredibly happy with how we played tonight.”

Warren Central struck first when Adelisa Becirovic scored with a shot from about 40 yards out off the goalkeeper’s hand in the sixth minute.

Greenwood quickly responded and gained control in a 10-minute span.

Hallie Adams evened it in the 12th minute with a rebound after a shot by Roxanna Saifizadeh hit the post, about a minute after Adams’ shot from point-blank range was saved by Eriona Shabani. The Lady Gators then surged ahead 2-1 when Kylie Tisdale scored on an assist from Hannah Schuette in the 16th minute.

Greenwood appeared to extend its lead on a free kick by Anna Hadcock in the 26th minute, but the goal was waved off and the Lady Gators took the 2-1 lead into the half.

The Lady Gators got that extra goal when Schuette scored in the 61st minute. No one seriously threatened again after that as Greenwood controlled possession, keeping the ball on its end and not allowing the Lady Dragons a chance to rally.

“I thought in the second half our ball movement improved much better,” Salchli said. “It was much crisper and it was good to get rewarded for it. I think that helped us push a little more and I think it took a little wind out of the sails of Central.”

Schuette said the Lady Gators were able to remain composed, despite the early deficit.

“Honestly, I think this is a good lesson for us to never take an opponent not seriously,” Schuette said. “We came a little bit (overconfident). Like, ‘We beat them 9-0 in the regular season,’ but they came out and did an awesome job and proved to us they were ready to play with us and wasn’t going to let us just have this win.”

Shabani finished with 21 saves for the Lady Dragons, who end the season with a 14-5-2 record.

“Realistically, our program doesn’t have the numbers and overall talent like Bowling Green, Greenwood and South Warren, but I truly feel like our team plays with as much heart as any of the other teams,” Tungate said. “Sometimes that’s all you can ask for. I think we earned their respect and I think that’s (what we wanted) coming into the game. The last time they embarassed us. It was not even a competition at all. We earned their respect tonight.”

Greenwood will play in the District 14 championship at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, facing the winner of Wednesday’s game between Bowling Green and South Warren. The Lady Gators beat South Warren 4-0 in the regular season and won 4-3 in a game decided on penalty kicks against Bowling Green.

“We know that no matter what happens Thursday, we are going to play next week,” Salchli said. “Our girls want to win, though. We are going to fight for that win Thursday.”

— Follow prep sports reporter Micheal Compton on Twitter @mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.