Varsity girls' soccer falls to Barons 2-0

BLAZER STADIUM, Sept. 22 -

After breezing through their first two games of the season, the girls' varsity soccer team (2-1) came across a bump in the road with a 2-0 loss to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) Barons. After two weeks without games, Blair aimed to come out with intensity and power. But their opponents, the defending 3A state champions, proved that they could play in the big leagues once again with a solid win over the Blazers.

During the first half, neither team had the upper hand. The Blazers attacked the B-CC defense to some extent, but efficient Baron traps hindered Blair progress. Junior forward Sofia Read attempted a couple powerful shots on goal, but B-CC made it difficult for the Blazers to score.

Throughout the second half, the Barons dominated the ball and maintained possession. Sophomore goalie Lena Meyerson effectively blocked several goals for the Blazers, but her saves could only hold the Barons briefly at bay. With 12 minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the half, B-CC junior midfielder Victoria Gersh placed a 25-yard kick over Meyerson's outstretched gloves and the ball sailed high above her and into the unforgiving net. The Barons took the lead.

Blair tried to answer with a goal of their own, but the Baron defense proved impenetrable. When all hope seemed lost, senior captain Darcy Pelz-Butler streaked through numerous opponents as she made her way down the field toward the goal. Inches from a score, a B-CC player stole the ball.

Pelz-Butler stressed that the offense and defense must talk more in future games in order to have better chemistry. "We need to have a lot more communication on defense and more dribbling and passing. They beat us because we didn't have enough communication and our defense wasn't where we want it to be.”

With seven minutes and 57 seconds remaining, disaster stuck. Sophomore sensation Jamie Kator went down hard after a brutal slide tackle swiped her feet out from under her. The fans held their breath as their young leader writhed on the ground. The "no-call" by the referee elicited loud boos and jeers from devoted Blazer fans.

Though the Blazers played hard, the Barons' dominant possession proved unbeatable. So with two minutes and 23 seconds left, it was no surprise that B-CC's Alex Doll put the ball right over Meyerson and gave the Barons a commanding 2-0 lead.

While Blazer defense wasn't perfect, the tandem of senior captains Darcy Pelz-Butler and Imani Pierre made it nearly impossible for the Barons to get close to the goal. Pierre's thunderous kicks and Butler's tenacious defense made it much more difficult for B-CC to attack.

Though the Blazers played valiantly, the Barons were a little faster and sharper on their passes and execution, according to coach Robert Gibb. He attributed Blair's loss to the team's lack of games. "The two weeks [without games] had to hurt, and there's only so much we can simulate during practice,” he said.

Overall, coach Gibb believes the team played well. "I felt we played pretty good. [The Barons] are very fast and very skilled, but we did a good job containing them,” he said. Gibb even surmises that a playoff encounter with the Barons could have a different result.

Despite the loss, Gibb stresses that the team is ready to win their next game against Magruder. "The confidence is still there, and we know we can play with them,” he said.

The girls' varsity soccer team plays their next home game against Paint Branch on Oct. 7 at 5:00 p.m.