Soccer: Pioneer-Skyline open SEC season with a draw & high hopes (WLAA photo gallery)
In what both coaches described as a “fairly typical” early season game between talented teams – and city rivals – the Pioneer and Skyline boys’ soccer teams played to a scoreless draw on a perfect night for soccer on Monday. And even though school hasn’t started, both student sections were well represented in numbers and enthusiasm as the game attracted a huge crowd at Skyline.
“Honestly, while we had our moments, Skyline played their game a bit better than we played ours,” said Pioneer head coach Jon Sundermann. “When we won possession and were able to connect a few passes and get down the flanks, we created some chances, but we need to be better on our runs in the box and maintaining consistency in our possession and pressure.”
One of the biggest stars of the game was Pioneer keeper Zach Wilhelm, who made several huge saves in the second half to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. With a little over 30 minutes left in the game, Skyline’s Graham Unsworth – who also had a strong game – hit a rocket from about 30 yards out that Wilhelm somehow got a hand on and tipped it over the crossbar.
With a little over 23 minutes left in the game, Wilhelm made diving stops on two consecutive shots from close range. He had the Pioneer fans cheering – and the Skyline fans shaking their heads.
“Real kudos go to Zach Wilhelm, who showed why he’s one of the best goal keepers in the area,” Sundermann said of his senior goalie. “His growth as a young man and leader in the program was in fine display. He did a good job communicating, helping the group stay composed, controlled the box…not to mention several really fantastic saves.”
Sundermann also praised his back line of Sora Koss leading the way followed closely by Luis Medina and Rhys Burnan.
“We’ve got some things to work on but we have a deep and talented group that is excited for the season,” says Sundermann.
Skyline head coach Chris Morgan also liked what he saw from his team while seeing areas that need some work.
“We are going into every game with the goal of being better than the last game and we felt we achieved that (Monday),” said Morgan. “We focused on being more dangerous, in the final third, as well as our front runners making more purposeful runs together.”
While the Eagles were disappointed with the result, they were pleased with the effort.
“We forced their keeper to make several really quality saves,” said Morgan. “Pioneer was dangerous on the counter, so we had to work box to box, so this was a great test for our young team.
“I know the boys really appreciated the fan turnout for both teams. It was definitely a really good crowd, and we feel they got their money’s worth.”
Keepers Bailey Edison (first half) and Max Adox (second half) earned the shutout for the Eagles.
