Pioneers Upset Eagles - Advance to District Finals and Earn Regional Berth

The Pioneer Boys soccer team beat the Villa Madonna Blue Lightning team in overtime on Monday for the opportunity to play the Scott Eagles- the same Scott Eagle team that beat the Pioneers by a score of 4-1 earlier this year in President’s Cup action-the same Scott team that SK had not beat since 2001. You would think this would be a cake walk for the Eagles. Not on this night! SK comes out on top by a 1-0 final at Menefee Stadium. The Pioneers earn a regional berth and play Dixie Heights for the district championship on Saturday night.

Once the game started, it was very apparent that the Pioneers were not going to give the victory to the Eagles. The first ten minutes was the key to the game as the Pioneers went toe to toe with the Eagles. The bulk of the first half was played in the mid-field as neither team had any serious shots on goal. Coach Wolfe told his team at half-time that one single goal was likely going to win the game.

The beginning of the second half started out much the same as the first half- evenly played soccer without either team mounting much of a threat to score. Then something happened. SK started possessing the ball and locked it in their attacking third of the field. A foul outside of the 18 yard box gave SK a free kick. Senior Bryan King got the call for the kick. King hit the ball perfectly and it looked like it was going in the upper 90 of the goal. Unfortunately, the Scott keeper made an unbelievable play to get the stop. SK didn’t let up. They pressured the Scott defense and you could sense that the Eagles were starting to feel the pressure of not being able to put the Pioneers away like they did earlier in the season where the Eagles somewhat overwhelmed the Pioneers.

Now the shining moment for SK: Andy Dickerson burst through the defensive line and took the ball towards the goal on a breakaway. The Scott keeper came off his line but didn’t come up with the ball. Dickerson was able to get just enough on the ball to send it towards the goal for Senior Chris Kentrup to run onto the ball and score his third goal of the District Tournament. The SK bench went wild.

At this point, it became the longest 11 minutes of the season for the Pioneers. Things got scary at the end when Scott had a corner kick in the last few seconds of the game. Scott putt every player in the box including the goal keeper who looked to have a pretty good shot. The SK boys gave it their all for the 1-0 win. Scoring opportunities just didn't present themselves as SK was outshot by a 9-6 margin. It was an unbelievably exciting game.

Congratulations Coach Wolfe and the entire Pioneer team. Much luck to you in the District Final and Regionals!

DISTRICT FINALS AT MENEFEE STADIUM
GIRLS FINAL: Saturday at 5:00 versus Calvary Christian
BOYS FINAL: Saturday at 7:30 versus Dixie Heights

Here's the play; Dickerson gets the ball by the keeper for Chris Kentrup to put the ball in the net.


Bryan King hit this ball a ton. Unfortunately, the keeper made an unbelievable stop.


Celebrating the Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!


After the Victory


Niehaus congrats Benner on the shutout.


An exhausted Bryan King leaves the field and gets a hand from a SK coach. The Scott Keeper who was absolutely astounding sits on the field in the background.


SK Boys and Girls Soccer teams in double header final. Here, classmates and soccer team members Cagle and Niehaus celebrate the big SK Win.