Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer
The Bryan College women’s soccer team (2-2-1) hosted an invitational last weekend, earning one point from two matches.
The Lady Lions played Cedarville (Ohio) University on Friday and Bethel (Tenn.) University (3-0) on Saturday. Bryan remained scoreless in both games getting away with a 0-0 tie against the Cedarville Yellow Jackets, but accepting a painful 5-0 defeat against the Bethel Wildcats.
Lions’ keeper Stephanie Gagnon was in the spotlight during Friday night’s matchup as the sophomore saved all 10 shots on goal and rescued a lucky draw for Head Coach Michael Sauve’s squad. The Yellow Jackets dominated the game, outshooting the Lady Lions by 23-2.
“Friday was a Stephanie Gagnon show,” said senior forward Liz Ponto, praising her keeper’s efforts.
Ponto, who recorded the team’s only two shots on goal, said that a draw with a team as strong as Cedarville is a good result. However she also recognized that her team’s offensive play, starting with the build-up out of the defense, needs improvement.
“We couldn’t get it out of our end and to the feet of our forwards,” said Ponto. “We were just not doing the simple things right.”
Twenty-four hours later against the Wildcats, the Lions’ defensive weaknesses, caused partially by the absence of injured senior defensive anchor Lauren Bowling, would then also find expression on the score board.
From the start of the game, Bethel was the dominant side, opening the scoring two minutes into the game. At halftime, Bryan was already down by three and Bethel added two more in the second period. Over the whole 90 minutes the Lions were outshot 30-8.
In an attempt to explain the Lady Lions performance, junior midfielder Kaitlyn Bryant said that simply every possession was wasted and in return the Lions found themselves “chasing the ball and playing defense for the majority of the game,” Bryant said, adding that her team was lacking shape and structure.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Ponto found encouraging words after the game.
“Our team has a lot of heart and we will be competitive against Trevecca [Nazarene University] on Wednesday,” she said, marking the weekend’s games down as learning experiences.
For the home matchup with the Trojans (7:30 pm E.T.), the Lions will be able to fall back on freshman striker Ashley Sisk, who was out for the weekend. Bowling however will be missed again in Bryan’s back four. The center back has knee problems and is out for an indefinite period.
[Triangle photos by Derek Batt]
