After the Tribe’s 3-0 win over North Marion Tuesday evening, the Lady Indians Soccer Team stands at 8-2-2 for the season. Coach John Reese is quite pleased with his team, including its performance Tuesday at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

“Olivia Arbogast opened the scoring with a 30-yard free kick in the upper left corner to put Bridgeport up 1-0,” he said. “Maddie Wilson beat a defender and drilled a 20-yard-plus shot past the keeper to put Bridgeport up 2-0.”

 

Wilson’s goal, Reese said, may have been the prettiest he’s ever seen.

 

“She had defenders all over her and drove the shot about 23 yards to the upper right. It was five to 10 yards outside the 18-yard box; it was an incredible goal,” he said.

 

The Huskies answered with a goal by Karlie Denham, after which Wilson sent a beautiful through ball to Braelynne Sandreth, who scored to close the game 3-1.

 

Rory Marple started as goalie, then played in the field during the second half as Mackenzie Randolph assumed the goalkeeper position.

 

“She made a fantastic save; nice and clean. She jumped in the air and went horizontal and dove,” Reese said. “She’s really getting her confidence back. She struggled with that a little bit after the RCB game.”

 

After losing Jordan Cole to an ACL injury, it took some trial and error to build the Tribe’s defense. But since moving Arbogast to center back with Kirstin George, defense, Reese said, has been like a brick wall.

 

“We shut out Williamstown, who scored 34 goals in four previous games and shut out Robert C. Byrd, who were state champions two years in a row,” he said.

 

With George and Arbogast as center backs, the line also consists of Grace Courtney, playing right and Audrie Sprouse, playing left.

 

The Lady Indians also took a 5-1 win over Liberty High School on Sept. 6. It was Madison Ware who opened scoring after receiving a pass from Emma Perine. Wilson – assisted by Elizabeth Deniker - then scored to put Bridgeport up 2-1 at the half. Wilson scored her second goal early in the second half, off a pass from Arbogast. Sandreth scored the final pair of goals with assists from Maci Cook and Rory Marple.

One of the Tribe’s two ties has been a 0-0 contest with RCB, which came Sept. 10, shortly after 3-0 shutout (Sept. 4). Reese said his team was lucky in some respects, but he also attributes a good goalkeeper performance by Marple.

 

“(RCB missed shots they usually make, but Rory made some good saves. Twice, RCB hit the crossbar and goal post,” he said.

 

 Wilson missed a couple of shots, too.

 

“It was a rainy day and we played our worse game of the year, but if you can play your worse game of the year and still tie a good team, you’ve done well,” Reese said.

 

The team is off the remainder of this week, then takes on Philip Barbour Sept. 25 and East Fairmont Sept. 27.

 

“Then we have a pretty tough stretch – playing Charleston Catholic (Sept. 29), Elkins (Oct. 2) and Buckhannon-Upshur (Oct. 4),” Reese said.

 

Charleston Catholic always comes in hot and both Buckhannon and Elkins are, like Bridgeport, undefeated in the conference.

 

Though Cole has been unable to return to the field, the Lady Indians have gained back both Ashley Hart and Meadow Stump, both of whom were temporarily out of commission with injuries.

 

“(Tuesday) night was Ashley’s first game back. They aren’t in shape yet, but they are going to help the team,” Reese said. “It’s nice to get those two back.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos taken at Tuesday's game against North Marion - from top: Arbogast, Wilson, George and various players - are by Joey Signorelli of Ben Queen Photography. See more images HERE.