Playing through pouring rain, the girls soccer team managed to defeat the Rolla Bulldogs in the penalty shootout 4-2 after the game remained at 0-0 through double overtime. Both the Bulldogs and the Bruins were unable to push past each other’s defenses in the downpour. RBHS head coach Gary Drewing said that despite the tough conditions, both teams worked hard and managed to force the penalty shootout.
“We overcame tough conditions and played hard,” Drewing said. “Both teams didn’t allow many opportunities to get behind the defense and the wet conditions made it hard to connect on passes.”
The Bruins and the Bulldogs both struggled in the rain. Senior forward Katie Cook said that while she feels she didn’t have a great game, she thinks the team played alright against a good team. However, Cook said the team had a lack of communication and struggled with moving the ball around in the rain.
“It almost seemed like we were rushing things and weren’t waiting for the play to develop,” Cook said. “I think it’s going to take a little bit longer to get the team chemistry to improve the way we are working together because we have so many new people this year. I think the team is coming together to work together great.”
Cook said that although the team made mistakes, they never gave up and didn’t let some little mistake bring them down. Junior center back Cara Wilfong agrees with Cook and said that the fact that they stuck together is what really counted and allowed them to win. However, Wilfong believes that the team, including herself, can still improve.
“There has to be leadership keeping the communication going and the girls up and excited to play, which is a big key,” Wilfong said. “There is always room for improvement but I think right now we just need to work on being strong all the way through the game.”
Drewing said that he is happy with the way the team approached the game and the effort they put into it. Drewing believes that the competitive drive the team brought to the game shows just how tough and dedicated the girls are.
“If we continue to get better at being confident and competing at our highest level every time we get together,” Drewing said, “we will be a very good soccer team.”
By Derek Wang
Photo by Ashley Tanner