In a battle of field hockey state champions, Pioneer proved they have reloaded once again for 2024 and appear to be the team to beat once again. The Pioneers, the defending D-1 state champions, knocked off visiting Dexter, the defending D-2 champs, 5-2 on Wednesday night.
The game was closer than the final score indicates as both teams showed off plenty of talent, skill and determination. The two very well coached teams showed great intensity for such an early season matchup. But that’s why they are the best!
After a scoreless first quarter, Dexter took a 1-0 lead with 11:39 left in the second quarter. Avery Shaieb made a great run down the field and let go a shot from about 15 yards out. Olivia Croftchik was standing in front of the Pioneer goalie and tipped the ball into the net. It was a great shot by Shaieb and may have gone in anyway.
The Pioneers netted the equalizer at 8:46 of the third quarter. A great individual effort by Grace Grabowski, who came down the left side all the way to the near post and flicked a perfect pass out front to an awaiting Gabrielle Haudan who directed the ball into the Dexter net.
Pioneer took a 2-1 lead on a penalty stroke by Lily Soldan with 4:16 left in the third quarter. Dexter goalie Audrey Owen-Smith made a great play on the shot and even got a glove on it but the shot was too strong to keep out of the net.
The Pioneers scored again in the fourth quarter to push their lead to 3-1. After a steal by Soldan, Klara Jones took the pass and raced down the right side. She reached the goal line before passing it out front and the ball deflected off a Dexter player and into the net.
With 8:28 left in the game, Pioneer scored again on a great shot by Soldan for her second of the night to make it 4-1. The senior made a sweet move to get by a Dexter defender and then placed a perfect shot into the far corner.
Soldan completed her hat trick at 3:44 of the fourth quarter after she stole the ball, moved out front and fired a backhand shot from about 15 yards out to make it 5-1.
The Dreadnaughts never gave up. With just 10 seconds left in the game, Dexter’s Lillian Mitchell raced into the scoring circle and fired a shot from about 13 yards out that found the back of the Pioneer goal.
Pioneer goalie Iseul Park earned the win in goal for Pioneer.
