On Wednesday night, the varsity girls’ soccer team tied against the reigning state champions, the Bethlehem Eagles, 2-2. The game was also designated the teams’ senior night.
Before the game began, Manual’s junior soccer players gave the Bethlehem seniors flowers as their names were announced. The nine senior players from Manual were then walked out by their loved ones, while their favorite soccer memories and goals after high school were announced.
First Half:
The Lady Crimsons started off with the ball but Bethlehem were quick to take it. Within the first four minutes of the game, Bethlehem made an attempt to score but it was blocked by Manual’s goalie Riley Borders (#0, 12). The Lady Cimsons had a difficult start to the game and were defending their goal most of the first half. Later on, Jasmine Smith (#22,11) made the first attempt to score for the Crimsons. The first half also consisted of multiple free kicks for Bethehem, though none of them had a big impact on the Lady Crimsons.
“The calls don’t phase us, we don’t perform well when the calls do phase us,” said head coach John Kassebaum.
The game began to intensify after various fouls were called on Bethlehem for their repeated offense against Isabella Acosta (#16, 9). Janie Mundell (#20, 12) took an impressive free kick for Manual from midfield that almost went in the goal, but it was stopped by Bethlehem’s goalie. This was then followed by various attempts to score from Manual, but unfortunately none of them went in. In the last two minutes of the first half, Bethlehem managed to score twice. At halftime, Bethlehem led Manual, 2-0.
“I liked the way we played in the first half…the willingness to compete in the first half against the sitting state champions [was really good],” said Kassebaum.
Second Half:
The second half started of well for the Lady Crimons, with an attempted shot by Bela Gatton (#3, 12). Laurel Senninger (#11,11) was able to score Manual’s first goal of the night following Gatton’s attempt, with an assist from Mundell.
“It was definitely a really rough first half, [but] I’m glad we pulled ourselves together,” said Senninger.
The penalties continued, however, even needing Manuel to form a wall because of its proximity to their goal. Undeterred, Manual still attempted to score. Acosta’s and Senninger’s continuous teamwork to try and score helped the Lady Crimsons maintain their momentum. However, Bethlehem continued to outpace Manual, having three back-to-back attempts to score, which were ultimately caused by a series of rebounds.
Manual was able to earn a penalty kick, though, after Acosta was fouled inside Bethlehem’s goalie box. The penalty was taken by Mia Bajic (#6, 12), who kicked the ball into the goal, tying the score.
“Of course I was nervous, penalty kicks are always nerve racking,” said Bajic when reflecting on her game-tying kick.
A few minutes later, two yellow cards were given by the referees to Acosta and a Bethlehem player. Little action was taken following the yellow cards, and the game ended shortly after, with both teams tying, 2-2.
The Lady Crimsons’ next game will be against Lafayette High school at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sep. 28.
