The Pioneer field hockey team is headed back to the State Finals.
The defending champion Pioneers defeated Huron on Wednesday night 4-0 in a semifinal game at Pioneer HS. They will face SEC rival Saline in the championship game at 11 a.m., on Saturday at East Grand Rapids HS. The Hornets defeated Novi 3-2 in the other semifinal game.
“We’re just working hard and taking care of the moment with great leadership from our captains/seniors and passion for team and this sport we all love,” said Pioneer Coach Jane Nixon.
Top-seeded Pioneer and Saline (second seed) met twice during the regular season. The Pioneers won 3-2 in the season opener back in August. And they played to a 2-2 tie in a game at Saline on Sept. 30. Pioneer has lost only once this season – 2-1 to Chelsea.
In the win over the River Rats, Pioneer took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. Klara Jones opened the scoring with a goal on an assist from Anne McGowen to make it 1-0. A goal by Lily Soldan pushed Pioneer’s lead to 2-0.
Neither team scored in the next two quarters. Soldan made it 3-0 with a goal in the fourth quarter and a goal by June Galban with an assist from Klara Jones finished the scoring.
The Pioneers have not allowed a goal in the postseason – beating Canton 8-0 and Hartland 8-0 in the first two rounds.
