By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Crash and burn. That’s the sudden failure that everyone remembers. In soccer, crashing means scoring, and one of the few Bedford North Lawrence veterans on a roster full of freshmen remembered how to do that.
King’s rebound goal midway through the first half gave the Stars a working margin as BNL stopped Jennings County 3-0, extending its winning streak to three straight matches. Roslyn Himmelspach scored twice as the Stars (3-4 overall, 2-2 in the Hoosier Hills Conference) also posted their third consecutive shutout.
Too many times, when a teammate launches a shot, the front-line attackers turn into spectators or statues, watching for the result rather than anticipating the worst. So when BNL’s Prezley Thurler fired a left-wing shot that Jennings goalie Annabelle Littiken deflected, the world seemed to stop.
Except for King, who followed the ball toward the net and was in perfect position for a put-back goal and a 2-0 lead with 16:31 left in the half.
“You always have to be there, be ready for the ball to come to you,” King said. “Your time will come. You have to be ready. You have to go right toward it.”
“Lilly is a super sub in that strike position,” BNL coach Jordan Himmelspach said. “She runs hard, never quits, and it paid off.”
Himmelspach got the Stars on the board with her first goal at 34:41, with a shot off a Jenna Mullis pass. Littiken got a hand on it but could not stop its flight toward the right corner of the net. Himmelspach added a penalty kick at 30:47 of the second half.
“We’ve had seven scorers this season,” Coach Himmelspach said. “They’re all going to get their opportunities, and if there’s seven on the field that can score, we’re an effective team and we’re covering space.
”This program is really clicking right now, and all the credit to the girls. This team really wants it, they’re dedicated, and they’re gelling well as a team. They’re communicating and finding space on the field.”
Jennings fell to 0-6-1 (0-2 in the HHC). After its slow start, BNL has found its groove with the winning streak.
”I did not think this was coming, but this is our year,” King said. “We’re ready to win. It’s a new team, a new us.”
The Stars will host Trinity Lutheran on Saturday.
