Girls defeat Kellogg

The Badger varsity took to the pitch in Kellogg for their first game of Intermountain League play on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Coached by second year skipper Erin Delude, the Badger girls controlled the pace of the game right from the starting whistle, keeping the ball in threatening position in the Kellogg end of the field for most of the game.

Elizabeth Newhouse opened the scoring with the only goal of the first half of play, a left-footed shot from 15 yards out that caught the Wildcat goalkeeper off guard, putting the Badgers up 1-0 at the break.

Liz Racer added another goal midway through the second half when she converted on a penalty kick, and it appeared for a time that the Badgers would be able to cruise to a win.

Kellogg was not ready to give up so easily, however, and with only a few minutes of play left, hit a goal, only the second shot to get by Badger goalkeeper Tessa Payne in three games this season, and pulling the Wildcats to within one goal of tying up the game.

In the final three minutes of play, the Wildcat offense came alive, and for the first time in the game began to control the ball down at the Badger end of the field, threatening to tie the score, and keeping all the Badger fans who had made the two hour drive on the edges of their bleacher seats.

The Badger defense, always one of the stronger aspects of this team, was able to hold the Wildcats at bay until the final whistle sounded, with the Badger girls winning their first league game of the season on a 2-1 score.

The Badger girls continue league play with their next game against Timberlake at home on Aug. 28, along with two other home games and one away match during the coming week.