By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – So this is what winning feels like. And looks like. After two years of woe, Bedford North Lawrence has rediscovered the secret of success.
After winning only once last season, the Stars have doubled their fun, and have put their troubles behind them. They recorded a solid 2-0 victory over Owen Valley (1-3) on Tuesday, posting their second win of this season. And if the defensive work (both victories have been shutouts) continues, it won’t be the last.
Powered by first half goals from Britta Warren and Sydney Hallatt, BNL improved to 2-0 on the artificial turf, which is its second venue but perhaps should be the first. No matter where the games are played, winning makes it feel like home, sweet home.
“It’s so much more fun,” Hallatt said. “We might not have won last year, but now we have two in the books, and multiple more to go.”
BNL (2-3) got a big offensive boost from Warren, who has now scored four times in four games. The most recent was a beautiful finish as she gathered a Cora Thomas free kick in the penalty box, made a quick burst to her right and fired a shot into the back of the net with 17:40 left in the first half.
“She’s very athletic and very fast, and sometimes that’s all you need,” BNL coach Bret Roberts said. “She takes advantage of it. When there’s an opportunity, she just pushes and pushes until she takes it to the goal. That’s all we can ask.”
The Stars came up with an insurance goal late in the half. Mylee Branaman got a good look from close range, but her shot was stopped by a defender’s hand (rather than the goalie’s). Hallatt took the penalty shot and stroked it home in the left corner with only 10.4 seconds remaining until intermission.
“I tried to focus myself,” Hallatt said. “I just don’t look at the goalie. If I do, I always mess up.”
“I’m happy she got to put one on the scoreboard,” Roberts said. “She works hard, and sometimes the defense doesn’t get as much glory.”
That was enough as BNL’s back line kept the pressure off goalie Maya Fahr.
“I feel very confident in our defense,” Roberts said. “We have a solid four back there. Last year we had a good defense, but the rest of it wasn’t there. I’m also lucky to have Maya. She didn’t have much to do today.
“I’m proud of them, for the second time this season, having a 2-0 lead at halftime and keeping it up, holding it throughout the whole game.”
BNL will visit Bloomfield on Thursday.
