Pioneer Soccer: Rough Start for Conference
Sophomore Kevin Ochoa kicks a goal for the Gentry Pioneers.
Heading into spring break, the Pioneers had their first conference game Thursday, March 17th against the Dardanelle Sand Lizards. The Pioneers did not play their best against the Sand Lizards. The Sand Lizards were able to score most of their points from corner kicks.The Pioneers did not have freshman forward Jason Gomez due to a family emergency and junior defensive middle Aaron Walker due to track.
The first goal for the Sand Lizards was a header that was stoppable, but the Pioneers couldn’t stop it in time. The Sand Lizards were able to outrun the Pioneers until they were tired. There were still some confusion on the formation the Pioneers were running, and again there was lack of communication out on the field. The Sand Lizards took advantage of it and were able to score six goals in the first half. Heading into halftime, the Pioneers were down 6-0.
‘’We have been having the same problems every game. I guess we just have to clean them up real good over spring break. And hopefully everyone is ready to bring their “A” game against Bergman,” said junior goalie Braxton Gunneman.
The Pioneers came out in the second half playing better than the first. They were able to get on the scoreboard with a free kick from sophomore forward Kevin Ochoa. There were many times the Pioneers could have scored in the second half, more than the first half. They were not able to connect with the goal. The Sand Lizards were able to score another goal before the game ended.The Pioneers played their hearts out in the second half and due to not having a lot of substitutes, they were really tired and worn out. The Pioneers lost 7-1 against the Sand Lizards and that put the Pioneers starting off the conference season 0-1.
“Dardanelle is a really good team. We hope to see them again at state. There are still a lot more games to be played. We were tired against Dardanelle and I hope we can change that stamina and bring it against Bergman,” said junior right wing Clay Willis.
The Pioneers played against the Bergman Panthers on Monday, March 28th.
