Blazers Back With a Bang

 It had been almost 2 years since the Varsity girls soccer team has taken the field. After having last season ripped from them due to the shutdowns and Covid-19. So there was going to be some nerves and rust to knock off, as they traveled down to Maryland to open MDCC league play against New Life Christian School. It was a much different starting lineup from the last time they took the field as they would have lost 2 groups of seniors

New Life opened the scoring about 10 minutes into the game with a distance shot. The Blazers would battle back and even the score about 5 minutes later when sophomore Ruth Hepler finished a breakaway. This would prove to be a theme of the game. New Life put away another goal and took the lead again, 5 minutes after the Blazer equalized. New Life's striker was able to control a ball in the 18 and rip another clean shot. Once again the Blazers answered shortly after, as New Life gave up a penalty kick and Laurel Reitz was called upon to take it and she delivered to tie the game at 2-2. New Life would score one more time before half, which put the Blazers behind for the 3rd time at 3-2.

The second half would also have plenty of goals. What ever Coach Paul Lundy said at halftime worked as the Blazers came out of half and tied the game up again as Ruth Hepler put in her 2nd goal of the game. Coach Lundy commented on Ruth's performance saying, "Ruth scored twice in her first varsity soccer game, and showed a lot of potential". New Life would score one more time to take the lead a 4th time in the game and go up 4-3. 

The Blazers would not be denied as Laurel Reitz drove in shot from distance to tie the game up again at 4-4. The Blazers were not done as Rachel Hepler, sister of Ruth was not going to let her sister score all the goals as she was able to pounce on a loose ball in the box after a cross to out the Blazers up 5-4, and that would prove to be the final score. 

Lundy commented, "This was a great first test for our team. Our players responded and came back 4 different times. I am very pleased with the physical and mental toughness of our players. Our defense was able to tighten in the 2nd half holding them to only 1 goal. Emmalyn Hott and Regan Bard began clicking as the center back pairing, and that is an exciting combo."

The Blazers will look to make it two in a row, as they go back on the road Thursday to take on the defending league champions from 2 years ago Grace Academy.