By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – That didn’t take long. Second-year coach Bret Roberts promised more victories, and Bedford North Lawrence backed up that prediction. Took the Stars only two games, too.
With an impenetrable defense, with two first-half goals, BNL matched its win total from the last two seasons with what is considered a historic triumph. Had the Stars ever beaten Bloomington North? That fact is uncertain. But here’s a fact, Jack. They have now.
BNL, patiently waiting out a late storm and a venue switch, recorded a 2-0 victory over the Cougars in the home opener Monday evening. Britta Warren and Madalyn Mason, both of rookies in reality, scored the goals and BNL’s solid back line turned aside what few threats the Cougars could muster.
Now maybe the Cougars were guilty of overlooking this program, and they couldn’t be blamed for that. So they reportedly played their second unit in the first half, then switched to their normal starting 11 in the second. Their choice, their demise.
“I remember playing North when I played, and it was always a tough game,” Roberts said. “So they kind of did it for my memory. I don’t think we’ve even come close to them. So winning our second game of the season is pretty awesome.”
An afternoon squall struck just four minutes into the action, forcing a delay of 105 minutes and a change from the grass field to the turf of BNL Stadium across the street. But the real line with all the power was the defensive wall of Cora Thomas, Sydney Hallatt, Leah Wagner and Katie Sites, who kept the pressure off of goalie Maya Fahr. She needed to make only two tough saves.
“We adjusted our defense (after a 7-1 loss at Silver Creek on Saturday),” Roberts said. “Our formation was a lot more successful. And we can always count on Maya to play tough.”
The Stars struck quickly in the first half. Warren, a senior in her first year, scored at 31:35. Mason, a true freshman, added a second goal when her 30-yard free kick sailed over the North defense and skipped past the keeper at 10:54.
That’s two goals in two games for Warren, who relies on speed and athletic ability to overcome lost time. Also consider that BNL scored only six goals all of last season. Where has she been for three years? “That’s a good question,” she said with a laugh. “I wish I had come sooner. This is my happy place.
“I was a little nervous to come in with new faces, I was worried they wouldn’t take me in. But they did, and I love them like family.”
“I hope she keeps that up,” Roberts said. “A goal a game would be awesome.”
BNL (1-1) will host Floyd Central in its Hoosier Hills Conference opener on Aug. 22.
