By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – “Improvise, adapt, overcome” is the unofficial slogan, according to Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge, of the Marines. Bedford North Lawrence, in search of a few good wins, will find out if it works on the soccer turf.
Defensive injuries and graduation, along with a young roster, have forced the Stars into the improvise and adapt mode. Can they overcome? That will depend on their scoring ability as they head into the 2025 season.
BNL coach Bret Roberts, now in her fourth year, plans to utilize her senior standouts in revolving roles. Jayella Filler, Rachael Barr and Jolynn Wilson will be the center points, with their positions depending on the opposition.
“It depends on who we’re playing,” Roberts said. “With some teams, they will be very challenging and talented opponents, and we will be prepared to play a lot of defense against those. Other teams, where I think we will have more opportunities to score, we’ll focus more on the offense.
”Jayella is great on the offensive side of things, Rachael is a good ball-winner in the middle of the field, but she will have to play more defense than she’s used to. Jolynn plays on the outside, she’s strong on the attacking side. Hopefully they can be a goal scorer for us.”
Scoring was BNL’s issue during last year’s 4-10-1 campaign, The Stars didn’t find the net until the sixth game of the season.
BNL’s roster will include nine freshmen and sophomores combined, accounting for over half the team total. Roberts is looking for rookies Lennon Blevins and Mycah Munguia to step into the starting lineup and make an immediate impact.
“There is definitely some talent in the underclassmen,” Roberts said, “even though they don’t have the experience of varsity soccer.”
BNL will also make its debut on the new turf field on the soccer complex. It’s a great improvement over the former grass surface – and pasture-quality rough practice area – that will require a faster pace.
“The girls are really excited about it,” Roberts said. “I know they’re ready to get out there. The quality of our practices will be improved, and we will play the majority of our games on turf. I like the way they play better on the turf. The passes are sharper. It makes a huge difference.”
The Stars will open the regular season at Silver Creek on Saturday.
