In a highly contested game that ended with a score of 3-2, on Thursday night, the BCC Barons defeated Richard Montgomery’s girls varsity soccer team and knocked them out of the playoffs. It was the first—and last—playoff game for the Rockets this year.
RM kicked off the first half, but BCC quickly gained possession of the ball. Both teams missed chances to score goals with RM’s shot sailing over the crossbar and the Barons’ corner kick ending up nowhere.
The Rockets regained control of the game in the eighth minute, however. RM’s attack advanced up the field, and, despite BCC’s defending, with an assist from senior Bryony Hollingsworth senior, captain Hannah Greco hit the ball past the goalie and into the back of the net, sending RM ahead, 1-0.
RM continued the pressure; in the eleventh minute, they had another chance to score. BCC lost possession of the ball in RM’s goal box and on the counterattack, senior Daisy Grant crossed the ball over to junior Kate Schuck on the opposite side of the field.
Schuck dribbled the ball up the field, with Hollingsworth joining her for support. It was two RM players against one BCC defender. However, the BCC player closed Schuck down and managed to take the ball away from her, ending the play.
Two minutes later, RM was left to rue their chances. A BCC player took the ball down the field and crossed it into the RM goal box, where another Baron hit it into the goal. The score was tied, 1-1.
BCC began to dominate the game. Halfway through the first half, a BCC through ball led to a second goal for the Barons.
Then, ten minutes later, the Barons scored again, making the score 3-1.
RM withstood the BCC attack until halftime. Although the first half was an end-to-end game at times, BCC had mostly dominated.
The Rockets came into the second half intent on winning.
They absorbed BCC’s attacks. In the tenth minute, the Barons gained a corner, but RM cleared it. Later, a BCC player took the ball down the field, but RM’s defending made her shot go wide of the goal.
In the fifteenth minute, RM earned a free kick thirty yards from goal. Hollingsworth stepped up to take it, but her shot went wide.
Eight minutes later, Hollingsworth made up for her missed free kick. She took the ball from a BCC defender in the BCC goal box and slotted it past the goalkeeper, scoring a goal and sending the RM crowd into a frenzy.
Following the goal, RM’s energy was renewed. They pushed relentlessly for a third goal, continuing to hassle the BCC defense.
With six minutes until the end of the game, sophomore Linn Barthelemy passed the ball to Hollingsworth, who had to slide to pass it back after being pressured by a BCC defender. Barthelemy shot the ball, but the goalie saved it.
Unfortunately, RM was unable to score the goal that would tie the game and send them to overtime. When the referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the match, the score was 3-2.
“I think [the game] went really well,” said sophomore Delaney Goetz. “We fought hard but we just didn’t come out with a win. I don’t think it really reflected how we played.”
“It’s sad [that it’s the last game], but I’m excited for next season,” she added. “It’s sad to see all the seniors go.”
The girls finished their season with a record of 8-5-1, an improvement from last year’s record of 7-7. In the regular season they finished in fourth place, tying with BCC. Altogether, it was the best season the Rockets have had in years. Hopefully, they’ll do even better next year.
Featured photo by Ayesha Khawaja.
