Girl's soccer suffers heartbreaking loss against Churchill

Girl's soccer ended their impressive season tonight, on Halloween, amid pumpkins, mud, and tears. They lost their first playoff game 1-0 against Churchill.

After an amazing undefeated season, interrupted by the sniper, the girls played a very challenging but even game against Churchill. The game was slippery, aggressive, and intense. In the last 30 seconds, a foul was called against Blair; Churchill made the penalty shot and the game was over.

Even coach and Blair social studies teacher, Bob Gibb, was tearful as he congratulated his girls on a fantastic season. Gibb was very complimentary of his team and his pride showed through his tears. "It has been a privilege to coach such a great group of girls," he said. Gibb was very unhappy with the questionable foul called on his team. "That's sports," he said, "Sometimes it doesn't go the way it should."

Captains Beccah Bernard and Jennie Breads and junior Jamie Kovach played particularly well against Churchill. The game was played passionately by everyone with a lot of slide tackling, slipping, and muddiness in the freezing cold.

Goalie Erika Pelz-Butler knew that her team was going far but did not expect such an abrupt end to such a great season. "Since the Sherwood game, I knew we had a really good team," she said. "One of the best in the county," added Pelz-Butler.

The girls were particularly affected by the sniper since they had been on such a roll. With a 7-0-1 record, they had their greatest challenge ahead, Whitman. The Whitman game was postponed and eventually the season was canceled but the girls kept up their practice. They got in as much practice indoors, as they could, and practiced outside in the rain to get a feel for what the conditions would be like in the Churchill game. "We were as prepared as we could be," said Gibb.

The game may have been a great disappointment for the girls but they had an excellent team this year. "We can play and beat anyone in this county," Gibb told his girls. Gibb encouraged the team and told them that this team really put Blair on the map and that next year they will be considered one of the most competitive teams in the county. "This is the best team Blair has ever had."