Both Pioneer soccer teams took on the Ryle Raiders in opening play of regional action. The boys made the trip to Union and the girls played host at the Menefee. The boys lost a hard fought game by a score of 2-1 and the girls won by the same score in the second overtime period.
First the boys team. SK came out and spotted the Ryle Raiders, ranked 16th in the state coach’s poll, a 2 goal lead in the first 6 minutes of the game. Coach Jeremy Wolfe said after the game that he was concerned that the Raiders were getting ready to put it on his Pioneers. The boys settled down though and dodged the Raiders and trailed by the 2-0 score at half-time.
Enter Kevin Niehaus. This young man’s season was supposed to have been over after he broke his jaw in multiple places and had to have surgery. Niehaus has been the team leader from the sidelines as the Pioneers learned to play without one of their senior leaders. Right into the game, Niehaus took a shot from a Ryle elbow. And then, even though he wasn’t supposed to, put his head on a ball. The fans in the stands let out a collective gasp. HOW DID MOM FEEL? This wasn’t going to be a case where Niehaus went in and took up space like he did in senior night. The senior captain put his Pioneer team on the board and made the score 2-1. SK controlled the ball in the second half against the Raiders. Senior Bryan King was able to get behind the Raider defense and had a hard tackle applied in the box. Nothing was called on what was described as a play that could have gone either way.
Congratulations to the Pioneers. Very few gave the boys any chance whatsoever to compete against the Raiders, yet they obviously did so. In all of my years following high school sports, I don’t recall a team that improved more from the beginning of the season to the end. Congratulations gentlemen, it was a lot of fun seeing you work and play hard all season. You have a great group of senior leaders who will be missed.
Now the girl’s team. The Pioneers came into the came having won 10 out of their last 11 games including a 4-1 emotional win over Ryle. Obviously, Ryle had something to prove after that match. The Lady Pioneers came out and locked the ball into the Raider defense. Shot after shot failed to go for the Pioneers and it was starting to look like one of those frustrating games where a team just can’t score. Ryle had very few chances in the first half but the shots they did have were quality. A Ryle attacker got through the Pioneer defense, with somewhat of a head-start, and chipped the ball in. The lead would hold up as the half-time score.
The Lady Pioneers looked down at half. Some of the girls had tears and looked defeated. The thing was, they had just outplayed Ryle but just couldn’t score. The Pioneers opened the half by getting the ball to Ali Ponzer who came down the middle of the field like she was shot out of cannon. Ponzer didn’t score but there was no question, they were driven back on their heels and the play set the tone for the half.
Enter Jessie Cooper. The all purpose freshman suffered a deep thigh bruise when she was tackled by the Scott goal keeper in the opening round of district play. Cooper had to be helped off the field and didn’t return to play. The next day, her upper leg looked like it was one of Bibendum’s. It was nasty looking. Coach Jones held out the younger Cooper from the District final as she continued to rehab. Her practices between the district finals and tonight were light. I asked her father as soon as I got to the stadium tonight how she was doing. Dad responded with a thumbs up and said that #32 was ready to go. It became apparent from the start that Pop Cooper was right. As soon as she got in the game she blew by the Ryle sweeper and nearly took the ball to goal. She didn’t score but you knew she was back. In the second half, Cooper brought down a ball from Shay Nienaber and hit the ball with a huge thud that found the left side of the net. Pioneers tie the game at 1-1. The goal gave the Pioneers even more fire. SK clearly controlled the ball for the entire second half. Keepers Lankheit and Figgins literally touched the ball one time in the second 40 minute frame. ONE TIME! However, the Pioneers were unable to break a tie in a game that started getting quite nasty.
The regulation periods ended in a 1-1 tie.
Let’s play two ten minute periods and see who is left standing. The Lady Pioneers found another gear in overtime. Several nice plays, corners, crosses etc. didn’t find their way past Ryle. Coach Jones started getting substitutions lined up for the next two 5 minute periods which would have been sudden death. With 55 seconds left in the game, Sophomore Jillian Russell lofted a ball from the right side of the field towards the frame. Jessie Cooper came crashing in from behind the defense and walked the ball into the net. Goooooaaaalllll!!!! The players on the field mobbed her!
The Lady Pioneers lost in similar fashion last year to Ryle; with only 26 seconds in overtime. No doubt they didn’t want that to happen again. Senior Liz Reilly said before the Pioneers went on the field, girls, let’s not let what happened last year happen again. It didn’t.
SK takes on Calvary tomorrow night at 7:00 at the Menefee. Calvary beat Boone 3-1 in the opening game tonight.
Let’s fill the stadium tomorrow night. Calvary packed the stadium Saturday night and will not doubt do so again. Time to Rise Up Pioneer Nation and support the Lady Pioneers to hopefully win their first regional title in the program's history.
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