Stars break free in second half for 5-2 win over Trinity Lutheran

BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence scored three goals in the second half to break away from Trinity Lutheran for a 5-2 victory during girls high school soccer action on Thursday night.

Britta Warren scored three goals – her third hat trick of the season and second straight – as the Stars (5-7-0) won their second straight contest.

After battling to a 2-2 deadlock at intermission, BNL created separation on Sydney Hallatt’s quick goal at 38:35. Warren capped the win with two late insurance goals (11:36 and 2:13).

“The early goal by Sydney that put us up on them was the confidence and momentum booster that we needed,” BNL coach Bret Roberts said. “It definitely fueled our fire. We played as a team and moved the ball around the field after that.

“I knew another goal was coming by the way we were pushing up the field to score and having shot after shot. They wanted to win the second half and they proved that by putting not only four goals on the board but a fifth. It was a rocky start but I was very happy with how they played the second half and ended the game.”

The Cougars got off to a solid start. Layla Jones put Trinity on top with a goal at 36:38. BNL’s Caelyn Burke produced an equalizer at 33:39, but the Cougars countered with another goal by Zoe Croquart at 27:57. Warren’s first goal with 14:23 left in the half created the halftime deadlock.

“Trinity came out strong the first half and wanted to win,” Roberts said. “We gave up two easy goals to them in the first half. Both of those goals were a big wake-up call for us. We were unorganized and were not playing our game the first half. The second half was a much different story.”

BNL will host Edgewood on Monday. The Stars will also learn their postseason fate when the IHSAA reveals the sectional draw on Sunday.