The Pioneer and Dexter soccer teams proved at least one thing on Tuesday night in their SEC clash in Ann Arbor – the future is not only bright, but the present is looking pretty good as well.
Two of the league heavyweights took the pitch for a competitive match at Pioneer and both teams showed flashes of great potential for not only future seasons but future games. While Pioneer controlled the first half with a few more scoring opportunities, including one that found the back of the net, Dexter’s resilience paid off with not only the equalizer but the game-winner in a 2-1 Dreadnaughts’ victory.
Both SEC teams have four freshmen on the varsity roster. Dexter has two sophomores while Pioneer has six 10th graders.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – OVER 100 PHOTOS
“This was a battle of two very young teams,” said Dexter Coach Jamie Lewis. “The Pioneer press was really successful with a number of varsity players sick and unable to play. We got great minutes from a number of freshmen from our JV team including Sam Church, Wade Geile, and Carter Fohr.”
Pioneer took a 1-0 lead on a rocket shot off the foot of Alexander Reifler. The relentless and talented senior was all over the middle of the field all night long and let one fly from about 20 yards out that hit the back of the net to give the home team a 1-0 lead with 37:04 left in the first half.
“They did a good job pushing players forward and really pressing our young back line for an early turnover and quality finish,” Lewis said of the goal.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – OVER 100 PHOTOS
Pioneer controlled the middle of the field for most of the first half and had a few more scoring opportunities, but Dexter freshman keeper Thomas Gwisdalla made some key saves to keep the deficit at just a goal and within striking range. And that “young back line” seemed to gain confidence as the game moved along.
The Dreadnaughts would strike in the second half.
The visitors broke through when Hayden Gaetino hit a weighted ball to Tyler Craig on a perfectly timed run and quality finish. And Gaetino scored the go-ahead goal with 5 minutes left, assisted by senior Bulamu Esilaba.
Dexter’s back line featuring GK Gwisdalla, Dane Barbaro, Sean Myint Jr., Nick Kiss, and Alex Helton dug in and held off a late push by Pioneer trying to get the equalizer.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – OVER 100 PHOTOS
“Our captain Tristan Snyder is coming off of an injury but was able to give us 10 important minutes in the first half to settle our young team down,” Lewis said.
The Pioneers fall to 2-5-1 but continue to get better one game at a time. “We have been playing decently but have hit a rough patch closing out games,” Pioneer Coach Jon Sundermann said.
Pioneer travels to Skyline on Thursday for a big city rivalry game with the Eagles at 7 p.m.
Dexter hosts Lincoln at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – OVER 100 PHOTOS
