Head coach Brian Carlson and the 9-1 girls varsity soccer team were home for their last regular season home game to take on the a well disciplined Cascade Christian team with post season implications Thursday afternoon.
Both teams looked to establish their ball control systems immediately, challenging passes and passing lanes and pressuring loose ball situations, creating scoring opportunities in front of both goals in the first half.
But it would be the Lady Challengers that would strike first on a breakaway opportunity down the left side starting from a thru pass at midfield that the Cascade Christian offense would chase down and get a shot off to score and take a 0-1 late in the first half.
The Bruin girls would rally to finish off the half, pushing deep into the Cascade Christian defense and putting numerous shots on goal, but the Lady Challenger defense would hold, sending the game into the half time break 0-1, Cascade Christian.
To start the second half, a frustrated Bruin girls team turned up the pressure, and picked up right where they left off to end the first half, pressuring the Lady Challenger defense deep in front of their own goal, before getting senior Amelia Bruce, #10, behind the Lady Challenger defense on a long cross that she would bury behind the Cascade Christian keeper, to tie the score 1-1 just 9:00 minutes into the half.
This opened up the middle of the field, as the Lady Challengers over extended themselves on a stretched out field, creating another scoring opportunity for Bruce, who found herself behind the Cascade Christian defense moments later on another long cross, and again, Bruce would get the ball past the keeper to extend the Bruin girls lead to 2-1 just 4:00 minutes later.
With over 25:00 minutes left in the game, the Bruin girls midfield took control of the game, as the Bruin girls defense pushed away any Lady Challengers offensive attacks, breaking up passes and attacking over the top of the Cascade Christian defense, spreading out the field and possessing the ball as time ran out on the Lady Challengers.
“Winning today earned the girls a first round bye in post season play, and a chance to host a play off game in the second round.” coach Carlson told the Compass after the game. “Cascade Christian played very well in the first half, beating us to a lot of the 50/50 balls. We were able to regroup at halftime and clean up a few things. I am proud of the way that the girls responded to trailing at the half, they didn’t get down and continued to battle through out the second half. I have no doubt that this team will use this opportunity to improve as we move towards the playoffs. I want to thank everyone who came out to support the team and be there for the Seniors on our Seniors Night.” coach Carlson said.
The Bruin girls season isn’t quite done yet. They will be on the road traveling to Myrtle Creek Monday to close out regular season play against the South Umpqua Lady Lancers with kick off scheduled for 4:00pm.
