Tough Loss for the Pioneers
The Pioneers played against the Eureka Springs Highlanders on Tuesday, April 5th. The Pioneers weren’t having their best day. The Pioneers were without junior defensive middle Aaron Walker due to an injury and freshman defender Nick Linch due to a track meet. The first couple of minutes went great for the Pioneers. Junior goalie Kelsey James had some amazing saves throughout the game. With about 25 minutes left in the first half, the Highlanders were able to send the ball to one of their forwards that was eventually kicked in for a goal. The Pioneers were getting heated and was wanting an offside call on the forward. Unfortunately, the call was never made and the goal counted. The Pioneers were down 1-0. After that goal the Pioneers had some amazing shots that just couldn’t connect with the goal. Senior center middle Jared Rabb had some good-looking shots, but the ball didn’t want to go in the goal. The Highlanders were able to score another goal with about 5 minutes left in the first half.
Heading into halftime the Pioneers were losing 2-0. The Pioneers came out ready for the second half and were able to control the ball more and take more shots. The Pioneers knew they could score enough to get them back in the game. Later in the second half with about 14 minutes left, the Pioneers were able to get on the scoreboard. There was shot from junior right wing Braxton Gunneman that had went over the goalie’s head and was cleaned up by Rabb. The Pioneers knew it was crunch time and wanted to get another one. With about 5 minutes left in the game, Gunneman had another shot that bounced off the goalie and passed the white line in the goal, but the refs couldn’t tell if the ball went past it and the Highlander’s goalie was able to grab it and clear it out. They fought hard throughout the second half until the buzzer went off.
“This one hurt us. There were some calls that needed to be made, but some that weren’t made, but that is how the game goes and that is why we play the game. We will let this game settle for tonight and the next day just focus on the next game,” said James after the loss.
The Pioneers lost 2-1 and are now 1-3 in conference. The Pioneers next game is Friday, April 8th against Lead Hill.
