The Indians would get on the board first after an infraction was called against the Pioneers in the penalty area. The ensuing penalty kick would give the Indians the first score of the night. The goal would hold up for the half-time margin for Holy Cross.
The referees stopped the match mid-way through each half in order to allow the players to take a water break.
SK came out in the second half and was getting some solid pressure on the Indians. Holy Cross would get what ended up to be the deciding goal of the match early in the second half. SK had the ball in their offensive third of the field but as happens so many times, the ball pops out, the other team runs onto it and they are off to the races. This gave HC the 2-0 lead.
SK did not give up as they continued with lots of pressure and shots. The Lady Neers would get a goal late in the second half as a cross played off the goal line by Aris Kuntz found the foot of Christina Cook for a half volley score. The goal energized SK for the rest of the half but the Indian defense was strong enough to preserve the victory.
The girls in blue outshot the Indians by a final tally of 27-7 However, it just always seemed like the team was either one pass short or a shot too early or late to finish for the score. Soccer is about capitalizing on opportunities; HC capitalized while SK didn’t. Additionally, the Neers set plays and direct kicks lacked the organization and failed to present solid scoring chances. The one goal the Pioneers did come away with was perfectly executed; the girls just lacked that extra bit of execution that could have led to the needed goals and the W.
The Lady Pioneers will travel to Cooper on Saturday night for a match with the Jaguars.
Aris Kuntz in a tussle with Holy Cross defender Kelly Kreutzjans in the first half.
Coach Barwell trying to rally the troops at half-time.
L.Landrum sends a ball to the goal with the keeper out; a defender would send the ball out for a SK corner kick.
T. Landrum with some nice energy in the second half.
This cross found Christina Cook for the SK score.
