Blair girls’ varsity soccer team fights valiantly but loses to Whitman in state championship

Alma Zhong fakes right, leaving two Whitman defenders behind as she drives to the top of the box. The Vikings are quick to press, but she manages to burst through another seemingly impenetrable wall. Her quick left-footed shot rockets to the top left corner of the goal. The fans and players watch in dismay as the ball glances off the crossbar and is sent out. 

This was the Blazers’ second crossbar shot in five minutes. The Maryland 4A girls’ soccer championship final buzzer rang with the Walt Whitman Vikings (15-1) on top, beating the Blair Blazers (16-3) 2-0. 

The Blazer Ragers

Photo: The Blazer Ragers as they watch the state championship

The Blazer Ragers as they watch the state championship Photo courtesy of Gabe Marra-Perrault.

The Blazers’ strong season came to an end, but with so much to be proud of they left the field with their heads held high. Junior Harriette Ngwatung helped cheer her teammates up, as she hoisted the trophy while smiling. Her contribution to the team this game and the entire season was stunning.

Ngwatung’s characteristic fast break down the sidelines offered the team an endless source of opportunity.  She seemed to be on both halves of the fields at once. In the state finals, her quick counterattacks in the first half caught Whitman flat-footed. What was more impressive was her defensive plays as she battled it out, winning consistently against some of the Vikings’ D1 recruits.

The Blazers faced off against the Vikings earlier in their season and lost 1-0 in a very similar fashion. Soccer captain Bia Da Silva explained why their strategy fell short. “We changed our style of pressing, we decided to play defensive and we lost some scoring opportunities,” she said. Whether it was nerves or strategy the Blazers still played an amazing match.

When asked about what she is most proud of, Da Silva said communication. “Throughout the season we had good communication from the backline to our midfield to our forwards,” she said. She explains that the team cohesion is what allowed them to get so far. 

Making history is no small feat. No matter the score, the girls’ varsity team has made the Blair community proud. GO BLAZERS!

The Blair girls' soccer team poses for a picture

Photo: The Blair girls' soccer team poses for a picture

The Blair girls' soccer team poses for a picture Photo courtesy of Gabe Marra-Perrault.