Pioneers still perfect in 7-AAA soccer
|
The Pioneers, who improved to 3-0 in league play, held a 1-0 lead at halftime before erupting for three more goals against the Stars in the second half.
“This was a big win for us,” said WCHS coach Keith Hamilton, whose team upped its overall record to 3-1. “Our defense keeps playing fantastic, and I thought this was our most complete game we’ve had all season.
“We finally had our offense and defense performing at peak level.”
That offense got going midway through the first half, when Alex Guthrie’s close-range shot trickled past Siegel goalkeeper Hayden Campbell.
The Pioneers carried their 1-0 lead into the halftime intermission, and benefited from Siegel’s overly physical play in the second half, when they were awarded a penalty kick after Tatsuro Kusunoki was fouled in the box.
Oscar Rodriguez took the P.K. for the Pioneers, firing his shot past Campbell for a 2-0 lead.
Dustin Dower made it 3-0 late in the half, when he scored on a low blast from just outside the 18-yard line, and Andy Knowles found paydirt just a minute later, scoring the Pioneers’ final goal of the night.
While the offense got its job done, posting 15 shots, it was the Pioneer defense who controlled the game, keeping the ball in WCHS territory for much of the night and making it a relatively easy night for Pioneer keeper Jonathan Bratcher.
Bratcher had to stop just one Star shot, and Siegel was held without a legitimate attempt at goal in the second half.
The Pioneers traveled to Livingston Academy Thursday afternoon, and will take on Pope John Paul II April 6 and Red Bank April 8 before returning home April 13 for a non-district matchup against Lincoln County.