Reynolds builds lead, holds off Watauga rally

By Steve Behr

sports@wataugademocrat

Things looked good for Watauga’s boys’ soccer team when David Fioramonti scored a goal three minutes into the Pioneers’ Northwestern 4-A Conference showdown with A.C. Reynolds.

But the Rockets did not panic, scoring the game’s next three goals, and then holding off a Watauga rally to beat the Pioneers 3-2 Wednesday at Jack Groce Stadium. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak that saw the Pioneers outscore South Caldwell and McDowell 12-0.

The Pioneers (4-5-1, 2-1 NWC), came out of the gate quickly by getting a goal from Fioramonti and held that lead for 16 minutes, until Pedro Olivero sliced through the Watauga defense and tied the game 19 minutes into the game.

The Rockets (8-1-1, 3-0) and the Pioneers stayed even until Kye Grooms scored with mere seconds left in the first half, giving Reynolds a 2-1 halftime lead.

Another goal, this time scored by Wilson Hood on a breakaway following a long pass, put the Rockets up 3-1 with 33 minutes left in the game.

Pioneers coach Doug Kidd, a former defenseman himself, said changes may be in order by the time the Pioneers host Freedom Saturday at 2 p.m. He said breakdowns in the Watauga defense allowed the Rockets to score goals.

“The last two goals killed us,”  Kidd said. “There were some very bad mistakes in the back... We’re going to have to strengthen our defense and move some players back there.

“I think we have the attack to score a goal a game, or maybe two goals, but we’re going to need to stifle teams defensively and right now, we’re not doing it. I played defense and we’re going to defend before this season ends, so we’re going to try some different things Saturday.”

To Watauga’s credit, its offense kept up its attack and it paid off. With five minutes left in the game, Luke Danner’s shot hit the left goal post, then caromed into the goal.

It left the Pioneers behind 3-2, but Watauga kept attacking. However, A.C. Reynolds slowed its game down and a final Watauga corner kick inside of a minute left did not materialize into a scoring opportunity.

“Give our kids credit,” Kidd said. “We did not give up. We kept pressing and put ourselves into position to equalize the game. We came up short and unlucky.”

Kidd added that the Pioneers got close to the Reynolds goal and needs to take advantage of their opportunities to score goals.

“We had our chances,” Kidd said. “They finished when we made mistakes and we’ve got to do the same thing, so it’s at both ends that we need to improve.”

Watauga’s game with Freedom was a make-up from Sept. 13 when excessive rain forced a postponement.

Watauga jayvees 1, Reynolds 1

Watauga got a goal from Asa Dearmas to tie the Rockets. Watauga hosts Freedom at noon, Saturday.