The odds added up against the Blair girls soccer team Thursday during the Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) third-place match.
Playing their third game in four days and without an injured Sally Kies, the Bears (7-4 overall) fell short in overtime against Class B No. 6 Bennington (7-4), 4-2.
“Definitely wasn't apart of the plan,” BHS assistant coach Ashley Brown said of the 100-minute match. “We were hoping to win it in regulation today.”
Before the EMC bout, the coaching staff told the Bears it would be hard. The three-game conference tournament was difficult and the rest of the season will be with districts on the horizon.
“There's no easy games for us — for any reprieve at this point,” Brown said.
Against Bennington, Blair had less substitutes to fill in as the match went long.
“We don't have the numbers that other teams have,” Brown explained. “We've got to find something inside of us to keep pushing and, you know, finish where we want to finish at the end of the season.”
In her opinion, the Bears met the challenge Thursday — even in overtime defeat.
“I think, arguably, this is, maybe, the best game they've played as a team,” the assistant said. “We've switched formations a little bit between games and they've done a good job adjusting to that based on who our opponent is.”
Bennington scored first early before sophomore Brynn Ray headed a Claire Anderson corner kick into the back of the Badgers' goal during the 11th minute.
Ray scored again in the second half with her team trailing 2-1. Senior Allison Hernandez passed the ball ahead from midfield, and the BHS forward chased it down and touched it past the Bennington goalkeeper.
The 2-2 score held into the second overtime when the Badgers finally netted the tiebreaker with just 4:12 left. The visitors added another goal 82 seconds later for the 4-2 win.
Still, Brown was pleased with her Bears' effort.
“They left it all out there,” she said.
At the same time, the coach was looking forward to a Friday, Saturday and Sunday without a match.
“We need a little break,” Brown said. “We need a little recovery.”
Blair was scheduled to play Monday against Norris before a Thursday rematch with Bennington.
BHS SOCCER LINE SCORE
Thursday
No. 6 Bennington 4, Blair 2, OT
BEN (7-4) 2 0 0 2 — 4
BHS (7-4) 1 1 0 0 — 2
Blair goals: Brynn Ray (2).
