Editor's Note: The Blair Bears won again Wednesday and will host a Class B District Final on Saturday against Bennington. The match starts at 10 a.m. and will decide which team goes onto the state tournament.
The Blair High School girls soccer team picked up the first of what it hopes is three subdistrict and district wins Monday at Krantz Field.
The Class B No. 5 Bears beat Elkhorn North 5-1, advancing onto the Class B Subdistrict 2 Tournament final against Bennington. While the first final score may suggest otherwise, coach Nick Hall said he doesn't expect earning BHS' first state qualification since 2001 to come without difficulty.
“The postseason is an emotional rollercoaster, and there’s no easy path to Morrison (Stadium),” he said. “With the seniors’ last day on Wednesday and schoolwork wrapping up, unfortunately it’s easy to lose focus.”
The Bears were scheduled to host the Badgers on the 12th-graders' last day of school, but are also expected to host a Class B district final Saturday, win or lose. The all-or-nothing final is tentatively set for an 11 a.m. start time, though unofficially as of press time.
With postseason play upon them, Hall said Blair's leaders are stepping up to the challenge.
“Laynie Brown is a force, seemingly everywhere on the field, and Claire (Anderson) is hosting ice baths at her house after games and practices,” the coach said.
He noted how Taytum Macholan is doing her part as are sisters Sidney and Lindsey Moeller, too.
Against North, the Bears scored three first-half goals and two more during the second 40 minutes.
“The heat impacted both teams,” Hall said. “We started slow, but picked up momentum with another big goal from Beau (Wendt).”
After taking and making a long shot on her birthday the week prior, the freshman booted another soccer ball on goal from beyond the box Monday. It snuck into the net through the goalkeeper's gloves and gave Blair a 1-0 advantage during the 21st minute of the match.
Next, Brown ripped her own long shot from nearly the same spot, finding the net again for a two-gaol lead.
Then, 8 minutes later, BHS freshman Cadence Field pushed the Bears lead to 3-0, taking a shot from left to right across the keeper's face. She'd add her second goal of the game late against the Wolves, but not before Kaitlynn O'Neil added one at 4-0.
Brynn Ray, Kaylie Johnson, Macholan and O'Neil all had assists against North, too.
“Defensively, we were solid, limiting their chances except for a late goal with two minutes left,” Hall said.
Brooklyn Schroeter earned the BHS win in goal, making multiple saves, including a highlight-worthy one at the end of the first half. It was made with at least two more matches of postseason play ahead.
CLASS B SUBDISTRICT 2 TOURNAMENT
Monday
No. Blair 5, Elkhorn North 1
EN (9-8) 0 1 — 1
BHS (13-2) 3 2 — 5
Goals: BHS — Cadence Field 2, Kaitlynn O'Neil 1, Beau Wendt 1, Laynie Brown 1. EN — Meghan Coe. Winning goal keeper: Brooklyn Schroeter.
