Head coach Brian Carlson and his Lady Bruin varsity soccer team made the long trip to Dayton High School, Monday afternoon for Tuesday’s, November 2nd evening kick-off at 5:00pm.
The Dayton Lady Pirates came into Tuesday evenings match-up sitting on an 11-2-1 overall record and ranked #4 by the OSAA, and with home field advantage, held a distinct advantage over the 10-3 Lady Bruins, ranked #12 by OSAA after traveling 5 hours.
The Lady Bruins wasted no time attacking the Lady Pirate defense, after senior striker Hannah James #5 secured a loose ball in the corner of the penalty box, pivoted a cross to the top of the penalty box that junior forward Zoe Carlson #11 gathered and shot, hitting the cross bar and going in, to give the Lady Bruins a 1-0 lead just 7 minutes into play.
The early attack Lady Bruin attack surprised the confident Lady Pirates, who immediately increased the pace in an attempt even the score. But the Lady Bruin defense matched Dayton’s intensity, stopping attacks, and as the Lady Pirates pushed further into the Bruin backfield, senior striker Hannah James #5 chased another loose ball into the corner, crossed the ball across the face of the goal and junior Zoe Carlson #11 collected the loose ball and scored, stunning the Lady Pirates and taking a 2-0 lead.
However, the referee deemed that Carlson had interfered with the Dayton goalkeeper, and the goal was disallowed, leaving the score 1-0 at the half.
Dayton adjustments after the half-time break was to apply relentless pressure on the Lady Bruin defense, pushing the ball deep into Lady Bruin territory, and shooting at every opportunity.
The Lady Bruin defense and mid-field increase their own intensity, turning away numerous shots and pushing the Lady Pirate offense to the edges, holding on to their 1-0 lead. But the relentlessness of Dayton’s attack presented many scoring opportunities, and though Lady Bruin keeper, sophomore Dakota Greenwood held the Dayton attack at bay, the Lady Pirates found the net to tie the score 1-1 at the 55 minute mark.
Finding new confidence after hitting the goal to tie the score, the Lady Pirates found new confidence and continued to apply pressure, keeping the ball in the Lady Bruin half of the field, and hitting a shot just 8 minutes later to give Dayton a 2-1 as time ran down.
The pace was desperate in the final few minutes as both teams fought to hold on to advance. The Lady Bruins mounted attacks late, and senior Faith Burton sailed a shot inches above the crossbar late, but the Lady Bruins just could not get the ball behind the Lady Pirate keeper as time ran out.
After the game, head coach Carlson told the Compass ““I think that we put together our best game of the season in many ways. There’s a reason why Dayton is ranked fourth, they’re a very good team.” he said. “Our girls went out and competed with them until the end, it’s what we always talk about. The team left it all on the field, I’m really proud of the fight they displayed.”
