At a glance
The men's soccer All-Region Division III team was recently announced and three Pioneers were named to the team. Freshman defender Jason Durst (Gates-Chili) was named first team while sophomore defender Hiroshi Ozaki (Tokyo, Japan) and freshman midfielder Caleb Drake (Jasper-Troupsburg) were named to the second team.
The men's soccer All-Region Division III team was recently announced and three Pioneers were named to the team. Freshman defender Jason Durst (Gates-Chili) was named first team while sophomore defender Hiroshi Ozaki (Tokyo, Japan) and freshman midfielder Caleb Drake (Jasper-Troupsburg) were named to the second team.
Durst played the front of the Pioneer defense which allowed him to join the offense. He routinely moved into the offensive position on corner kicks and free kicks. Durst scored eight goals, including two multi-goal games, to tie for the team lead. On defense, Durst helped the Pioneers record 10 shutouts for the season. Earlier this season, Durst was honored with selection to the All-WNYAC second team.
Drake was third on the team in goals with five, and he also had three assists from the midfield position. He worked hard all season to win balls in the middle and send them back into the offensive zone. Along with being named to the All-Region team, Drake was also named to the All-WNYAC first team.
Ozaki scored two goals including the lone goal scored in a 1-0 win against Tompkins Cortland CC. He also led the Pioneer defense which held opposing teams to under 10 shots per game and 1.10 goals per game. Ozaki was also named All-WNYAC first team earlier in the season.
The Pioneers, rnaked #5 in Division III of the NJCAA, finished the one of the most succssful seasons since the late 1980's with a 14-4 record. The team advanced all the way to the Region III Division III Finals before falling to Herkimer CCC.