Big Win for the Pioneers
The Gentry Pioneers took on the Lead Hill Tigers on Friday, April 8th. The Tigers did not have enough boys on their team and had two girls playing for them. The Pioneers started out rough this game but after the first 8 minutes of the game, the Pioneers had it rolling. The first goal was made from sophomore forward Kevin Ochoa from about 5 yards out. The Pioneers were able to score another one from junior right wing Braxton Gunneman from about 10 yards and the assist was from senior center middle Jared Rabb. The Tigers were able to put one by junior goalie Kelsey James. After the goal from the Tigers, the Pioneers were able to answer back with a quick goal from Ochoa again and an assist from Rabb again. The Pioneers were setting a tone on the field scoring another one from Gunneman. The Tigers had a lot of good shots, but James was able to stop the Tigers from scoring any more goals in the first half. Before halftime 2 more goals were able to be put in for the Pioneers. One of the goal was by Ochoa and the other goal was scored by junior left wing Clay Willis after he was fouled in the goalie box and scored off the penalty kick. This was Ochoa’s second hat-trick (3 goals in one game) this season. For this season, Ochoa has 8 goals and is ranked 10th in the 4A region 1 conference in goals.
Heading into halftime, the Pioneers were up 6-1. The Pioneers started the second half strong and was able to get another goal from Willis and the assist was from senior defensive middle James Fell . The Pioneers had taken out some of their starting players and had some of the second string players playing. The Tigers were able to score two quick goals in just 10 minutes. The Pioneer’s starters were put back in the game and were able to score another goal from Ochoa and an assist from Fell again. With just 5 minutes left in the game sophomore defensive middle Daniel Thao got a yellow card(slide tackling) and freshman right back Jason Mendoza also got a yellow card (slide tackling). The Pioneers didn’t play their best this game, but was able to pull off an incredible win.
“We didn’t play our best and need to pull it together for the rest of the conference. We can never underestimate our opponents because anything can happen in the full 80 minutes of the game. We were able to get the ‘W’ today, but have to work harder next time in practice to get a win streak going in conference. We will be ready for Decatur,” said Ochoa after the win.
The Pioneers were able to pull off the win and beat the Tigers 8-3. Their next conference game is against the Decatur Bulldogs next Thursday, April 14th in Gentry at 7pm.