Blazers cruise past Trojans

BLAZER STADIUM, Oct. 9 -

Varsity girls' soccer conquered the Gaithersburg Trojans on Tuesday October 9, in an epic battle, where their depth and versatility on the field prevailed over the Trojans. The girls, coming off of a depressing victory to the Wootton, again demonstrated the depth and hustle that has kept brought them a winning record.

As storm clouds rolled in over I-495, the Blazers outplayed the Trojans, getting help from unusual sources. Juniors Molly Brune and Susie Branson had both of the goals for the Blazers and sophomore Darcy Pelz-Butler continually fed the ball from the midfield to the forwards.

The game began evenly matched, with Gaithersburg repeatedly ending Blazer attempts before they got started. Despite good defense from the Trojans, the girls maintained control of the ball for a majority of the first half. Twenty six minutes into the game, the Blazers brought the ball inside the Trojans' 18. The Trojans tried to clear it, but the ball was intercepted by Blair, and placed into the back of the net by Brune for the first strike of the game.

As the half carried on, the Trojans began to show signs of the fatigue, but the Blazers could not capitalize on their weakness, continuously missing out on opportunities. The most egregious of which was a cross by junior Anna Rassman that traveled across the front of the goal but could not find the foot of any Blazer and rolled out of bounds untouched.

The second half began with a more familiar Blazer-style game. Senior Katie Scott continuously challenged Trojans and junior captain Annie Worden continued her fancy play style. The two missed out on an easy opportunity however, when Scott drove the ball to Warden who beat several defenders with agile cross over moves, but slammed a ball directly into the goalie's chest and missed out on another opportunity.

The Trojans obviously frustrated with their play began to get physical, but it was no match for the Blazers speed, which continually won them battles for balls. In the 12th minute Anna Rassman athletically leaped for a head ball, beating out the Trojan midfielder.

When Rassman followed through with her head however, she smashed it into an opponent, and fell to the ground. Rassman quickly jumped up, but was forced to leave the game due to a bloody nose.

The Blazers never let up and continued to pressure Gaithersburg in the second half. Freshman Sophie Reed contributed to the attack with stupendous ball control, jerking around several Trojan defenders. In the 18th minute of the second half, she dished a ball to Scott who drove it to Worden, but Worden was unable to finish the play, putting another shot right at the goalie.

Gaithersburg began to make the game interesting however, as they continued to push their offense up the field, and made serious attempts to score. But, senior captain Lizzie Horne, sophomore Imani Pierre, and sophomore Xenia Oxrom of the Blazer defense ensured that those attempts would stay at just that. Pierre continuously beat Gaithersburg defenders, "Imani is a stopper back there. Every time a ball gets loose, she's sure to clear it out," said Head coach Bob Gibb.

The girls fought back however, and in the 28th minute, junior Susie Branson made a drive to the goal. She out ran two Trojan defenders and muscled a ball through the goalie that found its way in the back of the net. The Blazers played out the final minutes of the game and celebrated after the final whistle blew.

Girl's soccer plays their next game Tuesday, Oct. 23, when they take on the Northwood Gladiators to try to win their final game before the playoffs.