Head coach Brian Carlson and his Bruin girls varsity soccer team held what seems like a rare homegame Saturday, hosting the 2-8 Coquille Lady Red Devils in what would be a close game through out.
In the first half of play the Bruin girls seemed on their heels, reacting to the play in front of them instead of taking the action to their opponent and forcing errors creating opportunities. This allowed the Lady Red Devils to keep the score close and stay competitive for most of the first half as the Bruin girls found their legs.
However, success did come early for the Bruin girls after junior left forward, Amelia Bruce, #10, raced down the left side line before making a cross into the box that was put behind the keeper by #11, Ellie Hamilton, giving the Bruin girls a 1-0 lead.
For much of the first half, the Bruins maintained possession on Coquille’s half of the field, creating some opportunities in front of the Lady Red Devil’s goal, that were either saved or missed the woodwork in efforts to extend the Bruin girls lead.
It wasn’t until the 25th minute of the first half that a determined Coquille team broke through the Bruin girls defense, forcing a foul and a direct free kick from approximately 25 yards out that got past the Bruin girls keeper to tie the score with just a few minutes left in the first half.
Both teams made their adjustments during the break as they took to the field tied 1-1 and again the Bruin girls dominated possession, but basics became the difference as the Bruin girls uncharacteristically made errant passes an left traps too far out in front of them allowing the Lady Red Devils to shut down offensive attacks and get quality looks at the Bruin girls goal.
But as the game continued into it’s final minutes, the Bruin girls simply out worked the Lady Red Devil’s, wearing them down and pushing the ball through their offside trap creating quality shots on the Coquille goal, before an exhausted Lady Red Devil defense was forced to foul creating a direct free kick opportunity for the Bruins at the edge of the penalty box. Sophomore defensive halfback Lexi Newman, #8, stepped into the kick and placed it over the Coquille keepers reach and into the back of the net, giving the Bruin girls a 2-1 lead with just 10 minutes to play.
The Lady Red Devils attacked furiously in the final minutes, but the Bruin girls defense would turn them away, giving the Bruin girls the 2-1 victory.
The Bruin girls will be hosting their final homegame of the regular season Monday, (today) at 4:00pm, taking on a powerful Sutherlin Lady Bulldog team.
