SK PIONEER SPORTS: Lady Pioneers Win District Opener

The Lady Pioneers took their turn in the 18th District Tourney tonight at Dixie against the pesky Blue Lightning from Villa Madonna. This is the third year in a row that SK has faced Villa in their opening round of districts. It was apparent early on that this game was going to resemble some of the two team’s prior matches. SK got all kinds of pressure on the Villa defense. Hannah Stephenson had a one on one with the keeper and was getting ready to shoot when the Villa sweeper came from nowhere and knocked the ball to the side. The Lady Pioneers would notch the match’s first score with just under 17 minutes to go in the first half when Aris Kuntz rifled a nice shot into the left side of the net. SK would maintain that lead through half-time.

The second half looked very much like the first half. SK with pressure and shots and Villa unable to get much going yet they were in the game. The Pioneers would get their second goal of the game when Jill Russell controlled the ball through the midfield and was able to play a ball to Hannah Stephenson who waas able to score. There was a brief discussion between the referees about whether Stephenson was offside but the referees signaled that the goal was good and the deuce went up on the scoreboard. Lady Pioneers win 2-0 and secure a spot in the regional tournament and District Final on Friday night at 6:00.

Impressions: When SK moved the ball with their short passing possession game, they scored or put more pressure on the Villa defense. The SK defense played very well. Kelsey Russell, Kennedy Vercheak, Allysa Carmony, Shelby Meier and Ashley Repka were rarely pressured. Repka touched the ball less than 5 times between the posts.

Finally, please keep Ali Ponzer in your prayers. She left the game early in the first half after her shot ricocheted and hit her in the cheek and eye area. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Get Well Soon Ali!

Aris Kuntz in a battle.