Soccer: Experienced, talented Pioneers blank Huron 3-0 (see WLAA photogallery)

It was quite the season for the 2019 boys’ soccer team. Grab your history books and let’s revisit that magical season.

The Pioneers knocked off rival Skyline in a District semifinal and then beat Saline in the District finals. Skyline and Saline isn’t exactly what you call an easy road. In fact, the win over the Hornets happened in a shootout.

Pioneer then knocked off Grosse Ile Pointe South 4-0 at Dearborn High School in a Regional semifinal before falling to Salem 2-1 in a Regional final.

It was a great season, indeed.

The Pioneers’ roster features 14 seniors off that team and they all feel like they have some unfinished business in 2020. They aren’t trying to repeat last season but surpass last season.

PIONEER-HURON SOCCER PHOTOGALLERY

“First, it’s an incredibly challenging time for everyone and given everything that is going on in the world, we are grateful for the opportunity to play,” says Pioneer Coach Jon Sundermann. “We are very excited about the potential for this group – lots of work to do though. Skyline and Saline have been the teams to beat the past few years so we need to go through them to achieve our goals.”

Another rough road ahead but a road well-travelled by the Pioneers.

Pioneer hosted city rival and SEC foe Huron on Tuesday night and scored a solid 3-0 win over a young River Rats club. Oliver Snelling, Dan McDough and Brendan Novar scored for the home team.

“Overall, I was fairly pleased with how we played,” Sundermann said. “We were able to apply early pressure and generate quality scoring opportunities. As the game wore on, Huron settled in a bit with regards to our pressure and created some effective counter opportunities.

“We were able to get all of our players quality minutes and balance the workload which will prove to be invaluable with the COVID impacted season. We are just hoping we all get the opportunity to compete.”

Pioneer competes on Thursday (Sept. 24) at Ypsilanti and at Saline on Saturday (2 p.m.).

PIONEER-HURON SOCCER PHOTOGALLERY