Reiff returns to Patriots lineup with a bang
The Pioneer High School varsity soccer team sits in second place in the Golden Empire League standings and looks to clinch a playoff spot very soon. Although they tied their last matchup against Woodland, they have not lost since Dec. 19.
While it’s been a complete team effort, one of the key players helping guide the Patriots in the past few games has been senior forward Trevor Reiff.
Despite missing an extended run of games, due to various reasons, Reiff came back with a bang against the cross-town rival Wolves and got right back to scoring.
“The day before during training, I told him we are going for the win, and he is starting,” said Pioneer head coach David Jimenez. “He was happy and confident to be out there and went out there with the right attitude and approach to score three goals. I’m very proud of him.”
Reiff’s quality showed early as his dribbling and skill allowed him to score two goals within the first ten minutes of the game.
He scored the Patriots’ only goal via a penalty when they played earlier this season, so he is no slouch in the bigger games.
“He is so consistent,” Jimenez said. “I have been coaching him for three years, but sometimes I’m surprised by his competitiveness. He finds ways to get into dangerous positions, and he loves putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Reiff would connect on a pass and one time a shot for his third goal. He perhaps didn’t get a clean hit as it wasn’t a straight shot, but it would slice away from the keeper and into the back of the net for a nice looping goal. That score also gave the Patriots a 3-2 lead that they, unfortunately, could not hang onto.
However, all was not lost as the Patriots still have an outside chance to win the league if Woodland slips up in the next week. They have almost assured a playoff spot if they take care of business in their next three games against Woodland Christian, Dixon, and Casa Roble in the regular-season finale.
“He is a big part of our team, and we expect him to play at his best,” Jimenez said. “That is never a problem for him. As far as the team, we have three tough games. We can only control what we can control. If we get some good results, we can slowly start thinking about playoffs.”
“He is so consistent. I have been coaching him for three years, but sometimes I’m surprised by his competitiveness. He finds ways to get into dangerous positions, and he loves putting the ball in the back of the net.” — David Jimenez, head coach, Pioneer High boys soccer.