The Blair girls soccer team opened Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) Tournament play Monday with a 3-0 win against Elkhorn.
“Elkhorn's not a bad team,” senior Sydney Campbell said after the match at Krantz Field. “So, it's a really big boost of confidence. Now we know we can keep up with the other teams.”
The victory earned coach Nick Hall's roster a Tuesday night semifinals match against second-seeded Norris.
“It is winnable,” Campbell said. “We've got to keep the energy up. We've got to stay positive.”
The Bears played an even first half against the Titans before their hosts advanced to the EMC finals with a 3-0 win. The loss was just BHS' third of the season.
“They played great first half, but just ran out of gas,” Hall said of his team.
Blair played the game without senior defender Sally Kies, who was injured during the tournament opener.
“With only 14 girls, we just have girls playing in different positions and it showed in the second half,” Hall added.
On Monday, though, BHS scored three goals to beat the Antlers. Brynn Ray earned the first on an assist from Allison Hernandez.
Valeria Hernandez then found the back of the net off of a Claire Anderson corner kick. It came before Allison Hernandez tallied her own goal in the final minute.
Kaitlyn Johnson earned the three-goal Blair win in goal, but Kies left the match hurt with 13:40 left in the second.
Overall, though, the win was a confidence boost, but also a challenge as the Bears' warmest of the season.
“This is the hottest its been,” Campbell said with a laugh after eight matches in the cold or cool spring air.
BHS was scheduled to play a third-place EMC match Thursday, but next competes Tuesday in a rematch with Norris.
BHS SOCCER LINE SCORES
Tuesday
No. 2 Norris 3, Blair 0
BHS (7-3) 0 0 — 0
NHS (8-1) 0 3 — 3
Monday
Blair 3, Elkhorn 0
EHS (2-6) 0 0 — 0
BHS (7-2) 1 2 — 3
Blair goals: Brynn Ray, Valeria Hernandez and Allison Hernandez.
