The Lady Indians were up 2-1 in the final minutes of last night’s home game against University High when the Hawks tied it up.

 

In the big picture, tying the defending Class AAA state champs is an accomplishment. But giving up the win with 90 seconds on the clock was hard to accept, Coach John Reese said. Still, he’s very proud of his girls’ performance.

 

“To play University and be up 2-1 most of the game, I’m here to tell you our girls played fantastic,” he said. “Rory (Marple) had a solid game as keeper, our defense was solid and our outside mids played well and so did our forwards.”

 

It was Braelynne Sandreth who first found the back of the net, scoring on a long shot and putting the Indians up 1-0. University quickly answered, tying the contest before the half. Kaitlin Smith scored early in the second; the Lady Indians holding the lead until those final seconds.

Just coming off another big game – a Monday night shutout against Morgantown – Reese said he had planned to do some major subbing, but kept his starters in, attempting to pull out the win.

 

“Playing two games in a row is hard on them, but they did it and came through,” Reese said.

 

Though he credits his whole team for the valiant effort, Reese singled out defender/forward Jordan Cole for a game well played.

 

Senior defender/midfielder Catie Wilson said University didn’t have as many shots on goal as she had expected.

 

“They were just able to capitalize on the few they had,” she said. “I thought we played well, especially since we played two good teams back to back.”

 

Senior defender Lacy Bryant said tying University was a real confidence booster.

 

“I feel that we played really well,” she said. “Our passing was on as we controlled the whole game. (University’s) defense was a little different than what we’ve been playing against . They were really fast, so through balls to our forward weren’t working, but we quickly realized and made an adjustment. From then on, we passed to each other’s feet and passed around their defenders, instead of just kicking it.”

 

Considering how well the Lady Indians played – and how they controlled the game – Bryant counts Tuesday’s game a win in her book.

 

“Even though the score says differently, we actually looked like a team out there,” she said. “It was awesome. We had lots of opportunities to score other than those two, but they just didn’t go in for us. Everyone came ready to play and there wasn’t one person that had a bad game.”

 

Monday night, Anna Cava scored first with an assist by Smith, putting the Indians up 1-0. Sandreth then scored off a Lacy Bryant corner kick, making it 2-0.

 

“Then Kirsten George hit a shot 30 yards out, making the final 3-0,” Reese said. “It was just a solid effort all the way around. Then the whole team came back (Tuesday) and played even better. Morgantown is good, but University is even better.”

 

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Lady Indians won over Elkins in a game played on home turf.

 

The Lady Indians led off action, edging out the Tigers 3-2. Madison Ware scored the Tribe’s only first-half goal, finding the back of the net after a pass series. In the second period, another good pass series resulted in a goal by the Indians’ Anna Cava. Elkins responded with a pair of goals, tying up the game. Cava broke the tie and the Tribe held off Elkins from further scoring. Attributed with assists were Emma Perine, Rory Marple and Isabella Bowen. Marple and Mackenzie Randolph split goalkeeping duties; Marple saving six goals and Randolph, four.

 

Thursday evening, the girls were on the road to Buckhannon-Upshur where they tied the Buccaneers 1-1.

 

Scoring for the Lady Indians’ lone goal was Ware with an assist by Perine. Marple played goalie for 50 minutes of the game and recorded seven saves, while relief goal keeper Mackenzie Randolph saved three Buccaneer goals.

 

With just one more game until playoffs, top-seeded Bridgeport stands at 11-3-5.

 

“Thursday (Oct. 13), we play Lincoln and Liberty plays Grafton,” Reese said. “Whoever loses between Liberty and Grafton plays Lincoln Monday night in sectionals. The winner of that game plays us Tuesday in the sectional semifinals.”

 

Tuesday’s semifinal game between BHS and either Liberty, Grafton or Lincoln will be played at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

Tribe senior leaders shared their thoughts on the season.

 

“We just have to continue to do what we’ve been doing the last couple games,” said forward/midfielder Kaitlin Smith. “We have a good chance of going to states if we put our mind to it and keep playing well as a whole.”

 

Bryant agreed that the Tribe is ready for sectionals, hoping and knowing they can bring home a state title this year if everyone is on their game.

 

Wilson agreed and said she has faith in her team to ride out the rest of the season in winning fashion.

 

“We still need to remember to hustle to every ball, but I’m excited to see how this season turns out as we continue to keep getting better,” she said. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos from top of team, Smith, Cava and George were taken during the Elkins game by Joey Signorelli of Ben Queen Photography.