Pioneers win Shaymus Guinn Cup

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Bagpipes, Senior Day, and a potential berth into the NCAA Tournament set the tone for the fifth annual Shaymus Guinn Cup on a cold Sunday afternoon against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The two teams traded goals before Logan Rinderknecht scored his second goal of the day in the 85^th minute for a 3-2 lead and eventual Pioneer win.

The Warhawks (10-6-4) scored first in the 26^th minute, but Tommy Bitter answered for the Pioneers (11-3-2) with his second goal of the season just before half time on a header off of a left foot cross from Nick Hoklas.

With a potential NCAA Tournament bid on the line both teams played more aggressive after the intermission, resulting in eight cards being given out in the second half. One of those cards was on the Warhawks keeper in the 54^th minute and the Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick. They were unable to convert on the opportunity and the game continued in a 1-1 tie.

UW-Platteville stayed on the offensive for much of the second half and were rewarded in the 77^th minute as Rinderknecht took advantage of a one on one with the Warhawaks keeper to take a 2-1 Pioneer lead. The goal was Rinderknecht's first since September 17th, but his seventh of the year.

UW-Whitewater responded just four minutes later to tie the game at 2-2 on a goal by Garrett Morgando. After the goal Morgando was replaced by Yoshihiko Fukushima. Fukushima received a red card just two minutes later, forcing the Warhawks to play a man down for the final seven minutes. The mistake was costly.

After a great run at the net by Jake Stevens the Pioneers had a corner kick opportunity in the 85^th minute. Hoklas entered in the corner short to Ivan Khamenka who sent a cross shot into the box. Nick Konopacki was waiting at the far post and centered the ball to Rinderknecht who headed in the eventual game winner. The Pioneers held off the Warhawks in the final five minutes for a 3-2 victory.

With the win the Pioneers move to 2-3 against the Warhawks in the Shaymus Guinn Cup. Since the men's soccer team is not part of a conference they now must wait to see if the NCAA selects the Pioneers to represent 'Pool B' in the postseason tournament.