Bellevue vs Newport 9-22-18

Bellevue 3-0 Newport
 
We scheduled our game versus Newport late in the process to fill in a BYE week. Newport is a 4A school and isn't in our conference, so the final result doesn't change anything for us in Kingco. Except the result changes everything. After a very uneven first half played in gusty winds, we settled down and played our best 40 minutes of the season in the second. Yes, we only scored once in the second half, but the soccer was beautiful. Bellevue soccer. And the key difference in my mind is that we finally began to play for each other on the field. We were running in support of the ball because everyone wanted to get into the flow. And when that happens, the game gets easier, smoother and more fun to play. 
 
The game started well. After only 10 minutes, we had the lead as IzzyB squared a ball from the right wing to Courtney forty yards out from goal; Court beat her defender and launched a shot into the gusting wind from just beyond the penalty box, and the combination of Court's quality strike and the wind deposited the ball just beyond the goalkeeper's reach. And for the first time all year, we had a lead. And it felt good. But to be fair, our overall play wasn't great. Newport had several chances to score, and it it wasn't for the unrelenting cover play from Julia at the back post, the game would've been tied at halftime; however, Julia saved us and just before the halftime whistle we extended our lead. Kaia created the initial chance by finding a racing Courtney at midfield, and instead of shooting from distance, Court beat two defenders down the right wing and crossed to Taylor who smashed in the goal for a 2-0 halftime lead. How quickly fortunes can change on the soccer field.    
 
I've written many time before how important overall attitude is for a team's success. And no place is it more important than from the players on our bench. A positive attitude from the bench lifts a team. Snark, cynicism, eye-rolling and indifference is an insecure rot that can spread, but especially from players we rely on to make a positive impact on a game when they take the field. So I couldn't have been happier to see such positive contributions from Kaia and Taylor on our second goal. The entire game our bench was positive, engaged and ready to go. The attitude was right. And Kaia & Taylor made an immediate impact when they came onto the field. Well done girls.  
 
Although we led 2-0 at half, we had only attempted 5 shots with 3 corners (vs. NHS 3/1 shots/corners). So we had room for improvement, as our play in the first half was still too disjointed and stuttering. But what a difference in the second half. We scored just one goal, created by Malena on the left wing with a sublime pass to Grace who finished beautifully, but more importantly, we played beautiful soccer. Our passing was crisp, our runs off the ball were plentiful, and our team defense was spirited and anticipatory rather than reactionary. We had 13 shots on goal in the 2nd half with none for the Knights. 3-0 final score. Yes, it was non-conference. But it mattered to us.  A lot. I can't wait to take the field again on Tuesday. And after our performance against Newport, I trust our girls feel the same.  
 
Highlights
Shutouts are good. Well done IssyS, Zoe, Julia, Kaatje, Claire, Court and Del for playing tough uncompromising defense all night. Our wondertwin freshmen Kendall and Halle patrolled the midfield alongside IzzyB, Court, and Audrey and found a nice rhythm, especially in the 2nd half. Kaia, Malena, Grace, Del, Taylor, IzzyB and Claire all put in excellent work at the sharp end of our offense. Overall, it was an excellent team win. A team victory. Individual performances matter, but we are so much better when we play as a determined collective. Long may it continue.
 
Program Notes
Our JV and JVC teams had an amazing week in an already amazing and joyful season. Our JV team is unbeaten, and in their last four games have scored 17 goals while allowing 0, and have played beautiful soccer while doing so. Our JVC team is also unbeaten, and have posted five consecutive shutouts, scoring 20 goals over that period with an unselfish passing game that is the class of their league so far. At it's core, the BHS soccer program is very very strong.     
 
Player of the Week
Julia Hasbrook 2020
With a tip of the hat to a very deserving Courtney, who reprised her goal and assist performance from two years ago when she was a freshman in her very first varsity game against Newport, my player of the week is one of our center-backs who stood out for her steady and inspirational play across the entire week. Julia plays hard. Against Liberty, she came on in the second half, and although the game was out of reach, distinguished herself with tough tackles, aerial power, and instinctive cover defending. She earned a starting role on Saturday, and was even more impressive, snuffing out attacks before they could develop by stepping into passing lanes, distributing confidently and simply, and going about her role with a raw competitiveness and work-rate that is infectious. She makes her teammates better. She makes our team better. The fact that she started the season on the JV roster is even more a testament to Julia's determination, perseverance, and competitive attitude. Julia Hasbrook is my varsity player of the week.
​