Rockets

blank Pioneers
By Bryan Lail
Special to the Democrat

In an important early season match between the only two teams to win the Northwestern 4-A Conference championship in the past seven years, the Watauga Pioneers were unable to breach the stiff defense of an A.C. Reynolds team that has given up only one goal in its six wins on the year. Reynolds used that defense to claim a 1-0 victory over the Pioneers at Jack Groce Stadium Tuesday.

Watauga’s jayvee team beat A.C. Reynolds 2-0.

In only the fourth minute of play of the varsity game, a high arching shot by A.C. Reynolds’ Molly Kuchar, launched from near midfield, proved to be the only goal of the game, sailing just over the head of Watauga keeper Sarah Caldwell, despite Caldwell’s valiant leap to knock the ball down.

A.C. Reynolds (7-0-1, 3-0 NWC) adopted a conservative approach for the remainder of the first half, seeking to hold its one-point advantage behind the strong defense they have quickly become known for this year.

The Pioneers (2-3, 1-2), seemingly taken by surprise with the early score by A.C. Reynolds, were slow to mount a steady offense in the first half and just managed to hold off several scoring attempts by the Rockets.

Watauga’s Macy Johnson began the offensive charge with an attempt to set up her teammates midfield advance, just failing to split two tenacious Rockets defenders around the potential scorer despite a well placed kick in front of the Rockets goal.

Watauga midfielder Layla Jones also contributed to the early action with a high -flying kick which soared just over the Rockets goal post.

An energetic battle of staunch A.C. Reynolds defense versus persistent Watauga offense ensued as the Pioneers took control of the action for the remainder of the half.

Watauga midfielder Bethany Miller managed to harass the Rockets in an exciting moment after a toss-in while the Rockets were attempting to set up a downfield push. Miller kept pace with a backpedaling ball handler eventually stealing the ball along the sideline and making a strong push around the two defenders in the area, just missing an open shot at the goal as quick defensive help arrived to force the scoring attempt out of bounds.

With several close calls before the half amongst the steady persistence of the Pioneer offense, AC Reynolds came back onto the field with a more offensive approach, forcing away what had been steady ball control by the Pioneers. Two consecutive Rockets fouls led to corner kicks however, both ending up in the hands of Rockets keeper Allie Preston.

Still, the Pioneers kept up their offensive pressure for most of the second half. On the final offensive drive of the game, Jodi Kraus attempted to set up Johnson for the tie, but once again strong defensive pressure led the ball out of bounds and the Rockets celebrated at midfield after holding on for the win.

The Pioneers drop to a 2-3 overall record after the loss, yet should take their strong play against the top team in the conference as a sign of good things to come. The Pioneers next travel to East Burke (2-5, 1-2) Thursday at 6:30 p.m.