Decatur teams start season strong

GENTRY — It was the opening match of the 2023 season on Feb. 27 when the Decatur Bulldogs made their shortest trip of the season, traveling to Pioneer Stadium to take on the Gentry Pioneers in a charity contest. Eighty minutes later, the Bulldogs finished with a win by two goals.

Last year the Bulldogs and Pioneers tied in the first match of the season.

On Feb. 27, neither team was able to score during the first 10 minutes of play due to the condition of the field, which was wet and muddy. However, the Bulldogs were able to kick the ball into the net on a shot by freshman Brandon Cruz who made his first goal as a Bulldog soccer player.

Toward the end of the first half, the Pioneers kicked one past Bulldog goalie Ben Watkins for their first goal of the new season. The first half ended with a 1-1 tie.

In the second period, Bulldogs Devin Thor and Bryan Ruiz each put the ball past the Pioneer goalie, giving Decatur a 2-point lead.

When time expired, the Decatur Bulldogs emerged victorious, taking a 3-1 win over the Gentry Pioneers.

LADY BULLDOGS 4, LADY PIONEERS 2

The Lady Bulldogs also outplayed the Lady Pioneers in Pioneer Stadium on Feb. 27.

Rain the day before made the field wet, muddy and slippery as both Decatur and Gentry took to the soccer field for the traditional benefit matchup.

About 15 minutes into the first half, Lady Bulldog Heaven McGarrah fired a shot past the Lady Pioneer goalie for the first point of the season. Soon afterward, the Lady Pioneers answered with a goal to tie the contest at one each.

As the first half progressed, Jazmine Herrera successfully attacked the goal, giving Decatur the lead once again. The first half ended with the Lady Bulldogs holding a one-goal lead over the Lady Pioneers.

Shortly after the start of the second half, the Lady Pioneers managed to put the ball past the Decatur goalie to tie the contest at two.

Keeping up the pressure on the Lady Pioneers, the Lady Bulldogs managed to score on attacks by Jacqueline Gomez and Herrera to take a two-point lead and win the match 4-2.

Ariana Kumbera/Special to the Eagle Observer A Pioneer player tries to block the way as Bulldog Robert “T” Thang (right) moves the ball downfield during the Gentry-Decatur varsity boys’ soccer match at Pioneer Stadium in Gentry on Feb. 27. The Bulldogs claimed the victory, 3-1, over the Pioneers.

Mike Eckels/ Special to the Eagle Observer Lady Bulldog Sunshine Thor and Lady Pioneer Morgan Polina fight for control of a loose ball during the second half of the Gentry-Decatur girls’ soccer match at Pioneer Stadium in Gentry on Feb. 27. Thor gained control of the ball and passed it off to a teammate.