New England Soccer Today

Junior Returns, Scores for Pioneers

Photo credit: David Henry/sweetdogphotos.com

The local scoring legend was at it again as Alencar Junior tallied for the Western Mass Pioneers in their 3-0 win over the Long Island Rough Riders Friday at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass.

Junior, who played for the Pioneers in 2013 and 2014, capped the scoring in the 80th minute. Lasse Orlik opened the account in the 20th minute while Pierre Villez doubled the advantage in the 70th minute on a pass from Junior.

Goalkeeper Ben Martinez put together an impressive display, collecting 11 saves to pick up the clean sheet.

With the win, the Pioneers improved to 23 points with a 7-3-2 record. The Rough Riders stayed on 21 points with a 6-2-3 mark.

Friday’s match was the first in a Pioneers kit for Junior in three years. In 2014, he scored 13 goals in nine games for the Pioneers, earning a spot in the All-PDL Team at the end of the season. He initially joined the Pioneers mid-way through the 2013 season, and went on to score nine goals in the club’s final six games.

The Brazilian goalscorer, who donned the no. 20 jersey for the Pioneers on Friday, suited up for Seacoast United Phantoms last season before departing midway through the season.

The Pioneers will conclude their home fixture list on Friday, Jul. 14 when they host the Westchester Flames. Kickoff is 7:30pm.

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