The Lady Bears hosted the talented and spirited Lady Golden Knights of Lisbon on Saturday morning. The Bears knew this was going to be no easy game as Lisbon entered the game with an impressive record of 11-0, with wins over both OFA and Norwood-Norfolk. After the Bears game versus Salmon River got canceled last Thursday the Bears got a much needed day of rest. With a good and productive practice on Friday the Bears were ready to take on the challenge they were about to face.
Headed into the game, the Bears were primarily focused on two objectives . Their goal was to have 10 shots on net and ten wall passes in each half. The Bears were pretty successful with each objective and put together a solid effort in each half. The Bears played a lot more aggressive and didn’t allow Lisbon to push them off the ball. The east to west play was more noticeable and the halfbacks did a good job backpassing to the defense. Center halfbacks Haley Stevenson, Quinn Woodward and Ally Kiah did a good job marking up some of Lisbon’s key players taking them out of the play. After battling for 40 minutes the Bears walked into halftime tied 0-0.
With 40 minutes still remaining the Bears knew they were still in the game. In the beginning of the second half the Golden Knights were dominating the Bears end of the field. The Knights had plenty of corner kicks but the Bears did a good job clearing them everytime. The forwards had many breakaways but due to number disadvantages they were unable to capitalize. The forwards also did a good job coming back and doubling on defense with the outside halfbacks. Defender Lindsey Filiatrault had the game of her life coming up with many key stops not allowing Lisbon to have any good shots on net. Goalie Bree Rogers had many great saves keeping the Bears in the game. With a little less than 10 minutes left in the game the Bears got a corner kick, Quinn Woodward sent the ball into the box. Lisbon tried to clear the ball but it ended up at Ally Kiah’s feet and she one-touched the ball back to Woodward who quickly one-touched another hard cross into the box that ended on the foot of Camryn Sipher who fittingly one-touched the ball into the back of the net, putting the Bears 1-0. This goal energized the Bears and they battled hard for the last 5 minutes and took the victory.
The Bears are excited for another batch of shutout cookies and hope to keep this energy up as they Face the Malone Huskies on Tuesday at Malone.
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