The Blair High School girls soccer team celebrated an Eastern Midlands Conference victory Monday at Krantz Field.
It celebrated even louder when one of its own was elaborately asked to Prom by a boy with a handmade sign after it.
“That's so cute,” one Bear could be heard saying as others hooted and hollered.
While the spring dance is still a few weeks away, the Bears are 3-0 after a 3-0 home win against Waverly. With the promposal happening just a few yards away, sophomore Claire Anderson said the home victory was notable, especially with how her team is still coming together with so many new players making contributions in the lineup.
“We're just trying to figure everything out,” she said, explaining how BHS is building connections and determining what formations work best for it. “So, it just feels good to start on top of a really good team in our conference.”
Coach Nick Hall's team took a 1-0 lead during the first half when Brynn Ray scored her fourth goal of the season on a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Regan Blattert ensured a one-goal advantage at the break with a pair of glove saves down the stretch.
While the Vikings earned the first scoring chance of the second half, Anderson delivered the first goal of the second 40 minutes. The scoring opportunity started and ended with a free kick from 40 yards out.
“You just kick it and hope someone can finish it, honestly,” Anderson said, describing her usual strategy.
In this instance, though, the Blair sophomore perfectly placed the ball beyond the Waverly keeper's reach, scoring it all by herself.
The 2-0 advantage lasted for just 2:33 before Anderson booted a corner kick from west-to-east.
“You always want to loft it high,” she explained.
It was and found freshman Kaitlynn O'Neil, who headed the ball hard, bouncing past the Vikings' keeper for a 3-0 advantage.
“(Coach) Nick always wants us to finish with a header, so it was perfect to work out that way,” Anderson said.
From there, the Bears' defense held as it has through the first three matches of the season. BHS has outscored its opposition 7-0 during its unbeaten start. It next plays 6 p.m. today at Platteview High School before Saturday's home game against Hastings at noon.
Prom is 7 p.m. April 6 at the Rybin Building on the Washington County Fairgrounds in Arlington.
BHS SOCCER LINE SCORE
Monday
Blair 3, Waverly 0
WHS (1-1) 0 0 — 0
BHS (3-0) 1 2 — 3
Goals: Brynn Ray, Claire Anderson and Kaitlynn O'Neil.
