The Bemidji High School girls’ soccer team secured a dominant 4-0 victory against East Grand Forks on Thursday night. The match, held at Chet Anderson Stadium, showcased the Lumberjacks’ offensive prowess and solid defensive strategies, marking an impressive performance in front of a spirited crowd.
Bemidji opened the scoring just two minutes into the game. After a miscue from the Green Wave defense, Izzy Renn intercepted the ball and swiftly passed it to Stella Schoonover, who placed a shot into the right corner of the net. This quick goal set the tone for the Lumberjacks, as head coach Logan Larsen noted, “It’s a confidence builder… we kept pushing, and I was happy that we stayed hungry.”
The Lumberjacks maintained their energy and aggression throughout the first half, creating numerous scoring opportunities. Despite several near misses, they extended their lead in the 29th minute when Abby Bokovoy assisted Kayce Christianson, who found the back of the net from close range, making it 2-0.
Larsen praised his team’s consistent effort, particularly in comparison to earlier matches. “We had a big talk at halftime… we had more consistent effort, better on the 50-50s,” he explained. Renn continued to shine, scoring her first goal of the night from a corner kick by Ella Willford in the 36th minute, taking the score to 3-0.
The second half saw more action from Renn, who capitalized on another assist from Willford in the 42nd minute. Her second goal came from a skillful cross-field pass, which she executed with precision, lifting the ball over East Grand Forks goalkeeper Natalie Drees. This performance marked Renn’s fifth goal in the last five games, a streak that Larsen hopes will inspire her to continue enjoying the game.
The Lumberjacks’ defense was equally impressive, allowing only one shot on goalkeeper Clara Bieber throughout the match. This strong defensive display contributed to more possession time, a key focus for Larsen moving forward. “I was super impressed with what the defense did,” he noted, emphasizing the need for improved ball control.
Freshman Rylinn Larson, playing in her third varsity match, adapted well to the faster pace of play. She reflected on the experience, stating, “It’s a lot faster of a play… once you get used to it, it’s not that different from the summer play.” Larson, along with fellow junior varsity players Rylee Story and Hannah Quinn, received valuable playing time and rose to the occasion under the lights, demonstrating their potential in a high-pressure environment.
The final score of 4-0 reflects not only the Lumberjacks’ attacking strength but also their defensive resilience. As the season progresses, the team aims to build on this performance and maintain their momentum.
Bemidji’s next challenge will test their skills further as they continue to strive for excellence on the pitch.
