Blazers charge past Cavaliers

The varsity girls' soccer team picked up their third straight win Monday night, soundly defeating the Kennedy Cavaliers 4-0. The Blazers took a decisive lead in the first half and controlled possession throughout the game to improve their record to 6-4.

Before coming onto the field, the Blazers linked together in a circle and chanted, "Whose house? Our house!" The intensity from their pre-game cheer showed on the field, as the Blazers scored two goals in the first ten minutes of play. A Blair corner kick was headed out of the goal box by a Cavalier, only to be fired back off a low volley from defender Becca Vogel. The shot bounced off the hands of the Kennedy goalkeeper, but striker Annie Worden charged forward to hit the ball past the goal line.

Two corner kicks later, Blair capitalized again, upping the score to 2-0. Defender Imani Pierre received the corner kick and settled the ball at the top of the goal box before sending a low and hard shot to the goal. The Kennedy goalkeeper fumbled the ball as she tried to scoop it up, and Pierre's shot rolled into the goal.

The Blazers controlled possession for the rest of the half, allowing only two Kennedy shots on goal. Blair opened up the field and had a much easier time finding each other. "We were moving the ball really well," said Vogel. "We were stringing together passes and it really showed." Blair's effective ball movement resulted in many scoring opportunities.

With eight minutes left in the half, the Blazers were moving the ball around deep in Kennedy's defensive side when striker Danielle Peck received a pass at the top of the goal box. Peck took a few dribbles towards the center of the box before rocketing a shot into the middle of the goal right over the goalkeeper's outstretched hands, ending the half with a three-goal lead.

The Blazers played through the second half with the same intense and smart soccer that characterized the first. When Kennedy got the ball, it was usually because of one of the numerous penalties the referees called on Blair. But the Blazers quickly regained possession and continued their attack on the Kennedy goal.

In the 72nd minute, the Blazers scored their final goal of the night off of a free kick by Pierre. Pierre drove the ball to the right goalpost, where the Kennedy goalie tried to stop it. But, the goalie once again fumbled the save, and defender Molly Brune, who was playing as a striker, rushed forward to tap the ball into the net.

Coach Robert Gibb was proud of Blair's play in the game. "We took care of business," said Gibb. Gibb also noted that several players began to step up to their full potential. He commended veteran midfielder Emma Liebmann, who was "on her game," playing aggressively to dominate control of the ball in the midfield.

Blair's performance tonight leaves Gibb excited for the tough four games the Blazers face in the upcoming week. "We had a lull in the beginning, but we're starting to gain momentum," he said. Gibb is confident that the Blazers, with their improving starters and "deep bench," can perform well and enter the crucial playoff games ready to win.