The WCMS Pioneer soccer team was embattled with Siegel, tied 3-3 late in the second half at Nunley Stadium on Friday night.
Then, with a little over a minute to play, Pioneer John Jackson found teammate Ayden Guevara in front of the goal with a crossing pass and Guevara put it in goal. Before the Stars could make it up field, time ran out and the Pioneers took the preseason game, 4-3.
“We pulled it off,” said Warren County Middle School coach Matt Jackson. “We were down three starters to injury and illness and Siegel is a tough team. It was a good preseason game as we open next Friday against Harris Middle and need to get ready with tough teams like Siegel before that game. They are our district rivals and toughest team we’re probably going to play.”
Warren County scored first early in the first half as Pioneer Dominique Betancourt found nothing but air between himself and the keeper. Betancourt wasted no time and sent a zinger to the left side of the net quicker than a rabbit can eat a carrot, 1-0, Pioneers.
Siegel found its way on the board late in the first half for the catchup score and it was 1-1 going into the break.
Early in the second half, Warren County pressed hard and Jackson found the back of the net after recovering his first shot rebounded off the goalie. The Stars answered back after two consecutive drives on offense and went ahead by one after a crossing pass found an open player, now 3-2 in favor of Siegel.
Fate smiled on the Pioneers on their next offensive drive as Siegel’s keeper went to grab a bouncing ball and it skipped out of his hands into the net for an own goal making it the 3-3 tie the Pioneers busted in the last minute.
No rest for the weary, Warren County plays again Monday at home as the Pioneers play host to Algood before facing their arch nemesis Harris Middle on Friday also at home at Nunley Stadium. Both games begin at 5:30 p.m.