B-CC Barons breeze by Blazers

Game faces were on and intensity was high, but Blair (3-3) was unable to sustain a full 80-minute game, falling to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (B-CC) Barons 3-0.

Despite the loss, the Blazers still managed to keep their heads up, showing strength in their game. Junior Rebeccah Bernard kept the team going with her aggressive defense and her strong determination to clear the ball up the field. Bernard, who has just recently recovered from a knee injury, played strong all 80 minutes. "I have to give 110 percent to set an example, but it wasn't just me. It was everyone," she said.

Blair came out with great energy, but that intensity soon disappeared as the Barons began to take control of the game. The Barons scored their first goal within the first ten minutes of play and came back with another goal with ten minutes left in the half.

After half time, it was a whole new game for the Blazers. Despite the Barons' speed, Blair matched them equally and more physically throughout the second half, attempting more shots and playing tighter defense. However, the Barons were able to walk away with one more goal, which was scored with five minutes left to play.

Head coach Robert Gibb felt the girls did not play to their full potential the entire game. "We did not come out the way we needed to. If we want to win, we've got to play all 80 minutes," Gibb said. Gibb saw the Barons as a challenge that the girls should have been able to handle. He felt to win against such a fast-paced team, Blair had to be precise and quick on offense, which did not occur for the majority of the game.

For the most part, the team is off to a solid start in its season with a 3-3 record, winning against Paint Branch, Wheaton and Einstein high schools. In their first six games, they have already managed to score 14 goals, while last year the team scored 21 goals throughout the entire season.

The addition of junior Lorpu Kpedah has made an impact on the team. Right now, she is the team's high scorer, with five goals under her belt. Her aim is to continue to be a key player on the field and to do her best. "I want to be able to look back and see what I've accomplished," she said.

There are still games left for the Blazers, and a winning season is well within reach. Tonight they prepare to play the Churchill Bulldogs, one of the top teams in the area. "We can play with the best teams in the county, but it's got to be all 80 minutes," said Bernard.