Lady Pioneers with A+ Effort

The Lady Pioneers came out with a high energy level in their season opener tonight at Chlorine Menefee Stadium against Notre Dame, currently ranked 2nd in the state coach’s poll. The SK team showed some strong grit and determination as they came out with the belief that they were going to give the Pandas a game. The Pioneers had several goal scoring chances but were unable to find the back of the net. The Lady Pioneers got somewhat tired as Notre Dame’s ball control forced SK to chase. NDA put 2 goals on the board during the first half. However, it was very evident that SK could have scored with several good opportunities. The Pioneers got stronger as the second half went on and played the Pandas tough. SK actually controlled the ball much better and scored a goal when Senior Shay Nienaber knocked in Krista Russell’s cross from the left side. Notre Dame also scored a goal in the second half for a final score of 3-1.

The lone SK goal provided a huge lift. If the score had been delivered earlier, the game could have potentially taken on a different tone. Although the Pioneers lost by 2 goals, this year, they should take some pride in the fact that they showed much improvement over last year’s 8 goal loss to the Pandas.

In JV action, the much younger Pioneers played the Pandas tough during the first half as the score was 1-0 at the intermission. The more seasoned Pandas wore SK down but the ‘Eers played very tough until the end.

Krista Russell with a strong night and assist to Nienaber late in the game.


Rei and Rie with a strong effort all night.


Lyndsay Figgins with her return to the SK sports scene! Nice job with the rehab Fig. Although she wasn't expected to play tonight, she got in the game and mixed it up a little.


A moementary shower came over the SK campus.


Coach Jones with the half-time speech convincing the girls they played strong and that they could do better. They did.