After back-to-back losses, the WCHS soccer team needed to find a way to right the ship. The Pioneers got things corrected in a major way Tuesday in Cannon County.

Warren County demolished the Lion 9-0, ending the match by mercy rule with 25 minutes left to even its record to 2-2 this year. 

Caleb Hines netted a first-half hat trick, getting the Pioneers on a roll early. Bryan Garcia added goals in each half, while Mauricio Gomez tallied twice to give Warren County's offense an added punch off the Pioneer bench. Logan Cowans got in the scoring action late with a goal and captain Abram Stinson ended the game with his second-half score.

"It was good to see the boys be hunger in front of the goal after the last two games we had," said coach August Palombo, who saw his team fall to Cookeville and Lebanon last week. "We strive for a certain level of expectation regardless of the score line. We maintained our play Tuesday for long stretches.

"It was also good to see some of the younger guys get time and uphold that standard."

Warren County's offense couldn't get going in 6-0 and 5-0 losses to the Cavaliers and Blue Devils, but Hines was more than capable of tearing up the Lions on his own Tuesday. The new standout in the Pioneer lineup was busy lighting up the scoreboard early and often in Woodbury, ultimately leaving after scoring three goals before halftime. Hines now has a team-high four goals in four games as he also found the net in a 2-0 win over Tullahoma to open the season.

Cowans' goal was a nice moment for the longtime defender who got to get into the attack in the second half, while Stinson's score made sure the suffering the Lions were experiencing playing against the Pioneers wasn't prolonged.

"It came at the right time. We're looking to build some confidence and momentum as we enter district play next week," said Palombo.

Warren County will face Coffee County at home Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m.