WCHS soccer team falls in season opener

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Pioneer goalie Jonathan Bratcher, seen in this file photo, had his work cut out for him Tuesday against Chattanooga Baylor. Bratcher had 17 saves on the day as the Pioneers fell 5-0. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

The Pioneer soccer team fell on the road Tuesday in their season opener against Chattanooga Baylor 5-0.

Baylor dominated the first 20 minutes of the first half with three goals. The Pioneers had a tough go during the opening minutes as their offense seemed out of sync. Baylor scored its first goal with nine minutes off the clock and quickly added a second goal 16 ticks later to take a 2-0 lead.

Warren County managed just three shots at goal before the half ended but all attempts failed. Baylor had 13 shots in the half as the Red Raiders kept the ball on offense. Baylor added to its lead with five minutes left in the first half as the Chattanooga attacker slipped his shot just past Pioneer goalie Jonathan Bratcher for a 3-0 lead at the break.

Baylor had many one-on-one opportunities in the first half but in the second half Warren County did a much better job defensively. The Pioneers tried to take control of the second half with an early run on offense but the Baylor defenders did a good job of clearing the ball to keep Chattanooga in control of the game. Baylor added its fourth goal of the game at the 12 minute mark as the game started to become very physical. Oscar Rodriguez had Warren County’s best opportunity to score in the second half but his shot sailed wide right. Baylor was awarded a free kick with 20 minutes left in the game but Bratcher turned the kick away giving the ball back to his offense. The Red Raiders continued to control the game but Warren County pushed the ball up field keeping it on offense.

With 15 minutes left on the clock David Britton took over for Bratcher at goalie. Baylor kept attacking the goal and with six minutes left in the game the Red Raiders put the game away with their fifth goal to seal the win.

The Pioneers had six shots on goal, while Baylor had 24 attempts. Bratcher had a total of 17 saves with Britton adding two saves to his credit.

“We beat ourselves tonight,” said head coach Keith Hamilton.” Baylor didn’t make any mistakes and we did. This team is very good but tonight we didn’t play smart and against a team like Baylor you have to play smart. We have to play more under control and learn to be aggressive at the right times. This team realized they are just as good as Baylor but they have to learn to do the little things better.”