Warsaw's Lopez Picks Western Illinois

WARSAW, Ind. - Warsaw Community High School soccer standout Diego Lopez demonstrated how much of an impact he could have on a soccer match for the past four years for coach Scott Bauer’s Tiger teams – helping to lead WCHS to three consecutive Final Four appearances, including this season’s state runner-up performance – and the senior forward has signed a letter of intent to continue his soccer career at Western Illinois University in the fall.

            While Lopez does not stand at the top of the record boards due to missing many matches, including a majority as a junior while injured, there may not have been another player to wear the Tigers soccer uniform that could take over a match – either through scoring goals or by drawing extra defenders – like Lopez.

            Lopez finished his career with 48 goals, 18 assists and 114 career points, and he ranks third in goals and points for a career.  A four-year varsity starter, Lopez was nominated for Indiana Coaches of Soccer Association Player of the Year, was named the co-offensive player of the year for WCHS, and was a 2012 all Northern Lakes Conference and ISCA All-State first-team selection.

            Lopez also played for Fort Wayne Fever for four seasons and was a member of back to back state champion teams for the U17 squad in 2011 and the U18 team in 2012.

            An honor roll student in the fall of 2012, Lopez is looking forward to the tradition of the Western Illinois soccer program and the atmosphere in Macomb, Illinois, where he will  major in Engineering and suit up on the soccer field for coach Eric Johnson and the Leathernecks.