The Blair High School girls soccer team started its season Thursday with its first road upset.
The unranked — but now 2-0 — Bears beat preseason Class B No. 9 Omaha Mercy on the College of Saint Mary's turf, 1-0. Coach Nick Hall's freshman daughter, Emmi Hall, scored the game-winning goal during the 61st minute, while ninth-grade goalkeeper Regan Blattert earned a clean sheet shutout in her debut match.
“I'm just there in case the ball's coming,” Emmi Hall said, explaining her backside positioning on the only score of the match. “The middle didn't get through, so I was there to cherry-pick, I guess.”
Junior Brynn Ray took the second-half shot on goal from right-to-left, which the Mercy keeper saved. The ball was still loose, though, and Hall placed her rebound shot into the back of the net.
“He was trying not to cheer,” the freshman joked when asked how her father reacted to the play.
The Bears created scoring opportunities throughout the second 40 minutes of the season opener, earning a pair of Claire Anderson corner kicks during the early stages of the second half.
It finally turned possession into a lead, however, with 19:51 left in the match.
“We finally took advantage of one when we got the chance,” said senior BHS defender Marin Sather. Classmate Katie Kramer and she helped keep Mercy off of the scoreboard during the 40-minute game, but they weren't alone.
“Gueryn (Kay) really stepped up playing center back this game,” Kramer said. “As a freshman, that was a big thing.”
The four-year varsity contributor also complimented the play of Blattert, who started her prep career between the posts 1-0.
“She did amazing today,” Kramer said. “Just getting her to talk and come out of the box — she did great.”
The senior conceded that the road victory in Omaha wasn't perfect, but it was a solid start.
“We have a lot to work on still, but I think it was good,” she said. “Good to come out with the first win.”
On Saturday, the Bears added three goals to their season total, besting Eastern Midlands Conference foe Lincoln Northwest on the road, 3-0. Ray scored three times, while senior Valeria Hernandez and freshman Laynie Brown notched assists on a windy afternoon.
BHS was set to play its first home game Monday against Waverly, too, before the season continues Friday at Platteview. After her team's win at Mercy, Sather was optimistic about what her Bears are in for this spring.
“I think it'll be better than our previous three years,” the senior said. “We're all really excited about it.”
BHS GIRLS SOCCER LINE SCORES
Saturday
Blair 3, Lincoln Northwest 0
BHS (2-0) 2 1 — 3
LNW (0-2) 0 0 — 0
Goals: Brynn Ray 3.
Thursday
Blair 1, No. 9 Omaha Mercy 0
BHS (1-0) 0 1 — 1
MERCY (0-1) 0 0 — 0
Goal: Emmi Hall.
