For the first time since 2015, the Lady Indian soccer team is heading to the WVSSAC Class A/AA state tournament. Tuesday evening, the Tribe took a 2-1 victory over the Lady Colts of Philip Barbour to earn the Region II title.

 

The first half was scoreless until the final seconds of the period when Allie Bender recorded the first goal of the night. Just four seconds remained on the clock when the Indians took the lead.

 

Nine minutes earlier, Braelynne Sandreth hit the back of the Indians’ net, but the goal was scrapped due to an offsides call.

 

Eight minutes into the second period, the Colts scored, tying the contest 1-1 and it was Gabby Reep who scored the Tribe’s winning goal.

 

“To get that first goal is incredible. It really lifts you up and gets you going and then to come back and tie it, that really changed the whole momentum,” said Coach John Reese. “Our girls kept fighting and fighting and Gabby got through and finally put one in. It was incredible hustle, first for Allie, then Gabby’s tenacity to get up the field, beat the girl to the ball and go in for the goal.”

 

Reese said his team did miss a lot of opportunities to score and that Philip Barbour did as well.Going into tonight’s game, he knew the Tribe had its work cut out for them and that the Colts would give them a fight.

 

“It was a tough game,” he said. “And I think both teams played their hearts out. Unfortunately, in these games, one team moves on and one doesn’t. We are lucky enough to be the one to move on.”

 

Reese said his athletes have remained focused and were determined to make it to states.

 

“We haven’t gotten there for the past few years and these guys made sure nothing got in their way,” he said.

 

Though the Tribe has recorded a practically spotless season record (19-1-1), Reese said the conference is a tough one and playing teams including Philip Barbour, Robert C. Byrd and others has helped prepare the Lady Indians for the games ahead.

 

Next week, his team will be watching game films, identifying areas where they can improve and working to make those improvements.

 

“We missed so many passes tonight. We pushed the ball to the corners a lot, but had people wide open,” he said.

 

In addition to the hustle of his offense, Reese also credits his solid defense.

 

“Our defense is so strong that we don’t give up many goals,” he said. “Those that we do are usually set pieces – free kicks because of a dumb foul. We have talked several times about giving away free kicks. It gives teams a free shot at your goal … We can’t afford to do that in the final four.”

 

Bridgeport now travels to the Class A/AA state tournament Nov. 8-9 in Beckley.