GENTRY -- The Pioneers played their seventh conference game against the Huntsville Eagles on April 18. It was a big game for the Pioneers, who were without Jared Rabb, a senior starter center middle, due to a bruised rib.
The Pioneers were struggling with the Eagles in the first half, but were able to get some shots of their own that were close to going in the goal. It was an intense battle between both teams. The Pioneers had a lot of opportunities to score but couldn't connect with the goal.
With about 10 minutes left, the Eagles were able to score off of a free kick that went right through the hands of junior goalie, Kelsey James.
The Pioneers were down 1-0 and were not ready to give up just yet. In the beginning of the second half, it was getting really aggressive on both ends of the field. The Eagles were able to put another goal in within seven minutes from the start of the half.
A foul was called on a play which gave the Pioneers about a 25-yard free kick. Junior right wing Braxton Gunneman was able to "bend the ball like Beckham," right past the goalie and into the goal.
Still down 2-1, the Pioneers were able to get a penalty kick and sophomore forward, Kevin Ochoa, beautifully placed it right into the goal.
With about 10 minutes left in the game, the Eagles were able to kick a laser shot from about 27 yards out that bounced off senior defender Austin Fowler and went right past James for another Eagle's goal. The Pioneers froze with shock. They definitely needed a goal and were able to get shots off, but the shots did not go in for the Pioneers. The final buzzer went off and the Pioneers lost, 3-2.
"We just couldn't get stuff done tonight, but what I love about this team is we never gave up during the game," said Gunneman. "We were so close to winning this game. This is why we play the game, because we love the sport of soccer. I hope we can still play as a team and finish this season strong," he added.
The above story is republished, with permission, from the Pioneer Press, Gentry High School's online student newspaper.
Sports on 04/27/2016