Pirates dominate in home opener

HOWARD — The Bay Port Pirates (1-0) secured a decisive 14-4 victory in their season opener at home against the West Bend West Spartans (0-1). The game started with two quick goals by senior Finn Gustafson. With two more goals from the Pirates and an answer back from the Spartans with time running down, the first quarter ended with the Pirates up 4-1. 

Gustafson, who, along with others, led the team to victory. He finished the game with one more goal, scoring a hat trick in his first game of the season. Reflecting on the team's performance, Gustafson said, “First game of the year, we can’t set anything on what we need to do and what we need to work on, but we set a good standard for ourselves.”

The game stayed close into halftime, with each team adding just one more goal, making the score 5-2 at the halfway mark. The Pirates came out of the locker room and kept their feet on the gas pedal.

The Pirates dominated the third quarter, demonstrating their ability to work as a cohesive unit. Coach Mogan praised the team’s balanced approach: “We let the guys work the offense, and whoever gets the hot hand gets the hot hand.” Hot hands were abundant in the third quarter, with goals from senior Issac Dietrich, freshman Devin Fry, back-to-back strikes by No. 18 Carter Janowski, and a faceoff goal by Ethan Nolan.

Gustafson stressed the importance of leadership in developing younger players like Fry: “Setting a good example of how you should play the game and treat your teammates… to get them headed in the right direction,” he said. “It makes them feel more a part of the team when they have guys their age leading and it’s not just their coach.”

The Pirates maintained their offensive pressure in the fourth quarter, adding four more goals. The Spartans managed two additional goals late in the game, but it wasn’t enough. The Pirates claimed victory at home with a final score of 14-4.

“We did really well today, but you know there is always something to improve,” said Gustafson. “We can get better at our ground ball, better at passing. It’s all the little tight stuff. We gotta lock that in against better teams.”

The Pirates continue their season on Monday, April 7, against Oneida Nation at Green Bay Southwest High School.