Throughout the first three years of her high school soccer career, Ally Bender earned the reputation as the type of player that was going to do all the little things that sometimes go unnoticed on the stat sheet.

 

On Tuesday, she showed she’s also pretty good at taking care of some of those bigger things as she finished with a hat trick in the Indians’ 5-1 victory against Liberty. BHS (4-2) has now won four in a row.

 

Bender was one of nine BHS players (four girls, five boys) who were recognized as part of senior night festivities in between games. Following the girls game, the boys defeated the Mountaineers 2-1.

 

“That was pretty cool, Ally got a hat trick on senior night,” BHS coach Sam McKinney said.

 

The Indians played the majority of the first half on Liberty’s side of the field, proving once again that sometimes the best defense is an aggressive offense.

 

“That’s the idea, always stay on the front foot and keep the other team on their heels,” McKinney said. “They can’t attack, if we are constantly attacking. That’s always our game plan with our formation and the way I like to play.”

 

The Indians scored their first goal with 13:18 left in the first half when Allly Bender scored her fifth of the season from about 30 yards out.

Less than two minutes later, Gabby Reep made it 2-0 off an assist from Kylie Bender. For Reep, it was her third goals of the season.

 

Bridgeport made it 3-0 with less than 10 seconds remaining in the half, Brianna Smell scored her first goal of the season with the assist going to Maci Cook.

 

Ally Bender scored two more goals after halftime to complete the hat trick, one a header off a corner kick and one off a picture-perfect free kick from younger sister, Kylie Bender.

 

Sydney Vilain had Liberty’s lone goal. Keira Klingensmith and Emily Anderson split time in goal for the Indians.

 

Prior to Tuesday’s victory, the BHS girls blanked Robert C. Byrd, 4-0.

 

Allie Callahan had two goals in the win against the Eagles, while Ally Bender and Reep each had a goal and an assist.

 

Klingensmith and Anderson again split time in goal, coming up one and three saves, respectively.

 

Brock Amos also had a strong showing on senior night, scoring one of the goals for the BHS boys and assisting on the other, to Will Madden.

 

“I don’t know if you know the band Tenacious D, but I call Brock, Tenacious O,” BHS boys coach Keith Dumas said. “Brock is always fighting for the ball and he will give it his all until the end of the game.”

 

The Mountaineers struck first with a goal from Hayden Dodd. The fourth goal of the season for Amos tied it up and Madden’s second on the year gave BHS the lead late in the first half.

 

The BHS defense then took care of business in the second half to secure the win and improve the Indians to 2-3-2 on the year.

 

“Our defense held up really well tonight, our midfield played really well,” Dumas said. “Overall just a good team effort.”

 

The BHS boys picked up their first win of the season against RCB last Thursday with Amos finding the back of the net twice in a 2-0 victory. AJ Dinaldo and Brody Nolte each had assists, while Levi Crayton had a pair of saves in goal. Crayton was also in goal for the win against Liberty.

 

In between the RCB and Liberty victories the Indians suffered a 6-0 loss last Saturday at Woodrow Wilson.

 

Both BHS soccer teams return to the pitch on Thursday at Preston. The girls game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and the boys contest at 8 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of Ally Bender and bottom photo of Amos oourtesy of www.benqueenphotography.com