1 & done – Lebanon hands WCHS an opening-round upset

After beating Lebanon on a last-minute goal during the regular season, the Pioneer soccer team knew they were going to be in for a battle Monday night as they took their No. 3 seed up against the sixth-seeded Blue Devils in the opening round of the District 7-AAA tournament.

The Pioneers had the home-field advantage, but the Blue Devils turned the tables on their hosts, scoring the winning goal late in the second half to grab a 3-2 upset win and end the Pioneers? season with a 11-5 record.

In a hard-fought battle from the opening whistle, both teams tried to set the pace of play early. Warren County?s offense pushed the ball downfield, and six minutes into the contest Tony Garibaldi got away the first attempt of the game, but his shot was turned away by Lebanon?s keeper Price Bishop.

Warren County?s persistence paid off when Garibaldi worked his way back in front of the net and fired a shot to the left-hand corner. putting the Pioneers out in front 1-0 at the 30:41 mark of the opening half.

Lebanon?s offense had few opportunities to score during the first 20 minutes of the game, as the Warren County offense did a good job of moving the ball. Cody Cowans attempted a shot at the 24:51 mark, but it was off-target.

The Blue Devils picked up the pace in the final 10 minutes, coming up with back-to-back shots on goal. With 5:28 left in the half Diego Mota fired a shot which Pioneer goal Tucker Chastain got his hands on, but Adrian Ramirez was there and slapped the rebound to the back of the net, tying the game at 1-1 as the teams headed to the break.

Action picked up in the second half and with five minutes off the clock Cowans put the Pioneers out in front 2-1. Lebanon took the ball and marched downfield, but came away empty after two shots at goal.

The Pioneers came up with back-to-back shots from Honest Mrema and Garibaldi, but Lebanon?s defense held its ground and kept the game within striking distance.

With under 15 minutes to play the Blue Devils? Mota found open land in front of the Pioneer net, pulling Chastain out of goal and tying the game at 2-2.

Warren County?s defense couldn?t stop Mota as the Blue Devil worked his way once again in front of the Pioneer net and fired a shot past Chastain for a 3-2 lead with 8:19 left to play.

Warren County was desperate for a goal, and the Pioneer offense picked up the tempo. Cory Warden had a chance to tie the game for Warren County, but his shot just missed going in with under seven minutes to play.

Lebanon kept its passes long and spread the field trying to use every minute of the clock, but with under two minutes left to play the Pioneer fans came alive after what was thought to be a game-tying goal by Warren County, only to see the shot waved off on an offsides call. That would prove to be the Pioneers? final shot, as time ran out giving Lebanon the win.

?This is a big win for our team,? said Lebanon keeper Price Bishop. ?After our first meeting against Warren County we knew we could do it, and we just came out tonight and didn?t make many mistakes.?

Lebanon moved on to the second round of the tournament, which is being played at Oakland High School.