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By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
The Summit Lady Bears hosted Highlands and kicked off the season with a win against the Lady Highlanders ending with a final of 3-1.
Summit Kayleigh Bonner kicks the ball up the field against Highlands at home.
“The girls played strong. Going into the match, we knew it would be very competitive,” said Summit Coach Scott Whitman. “We have limited substitutes, so many of the girls had to play the entire 80 minutes. They stepped up to the challenge and continued to work through the whole game and secured the win.”
Summit Kayleigh Bonner scored the Lady Bears’ first two goals, one from a free kick, and Abbie Doerter scored the third.
Summit Abbie Doerter keeps the ball inbounds to avoid a corner kick and sends it up the sidelines.
Highlands Coach Caleb Brown said his team has talent, but there’s work to be done.
“Overall, we had some great individual performances out on the field,” said Brown. “We still have a great deal of work ahead of us, but again we have to remember that these girls only had 3 full practices before their first match. We will definitely grow into the season and improve as we get more time out on the field. We’ve got to work on our passing as well as our attacking runs in the final third.”
Highlands Olivia Corbin launches for a header against Summit.
Highlands Cayden Pierson scored to put the Lady Highlanders on the board.
Summit Lydia Hughes tries to get off a pass before Highlands Cayden Pierson moves in for the stop.
Whitman said he likes what he saw on the field and is looking forward to a good season.
“The team is looking great this year,” said Whitman. “We have an even blend of grade levels and experience. We are off to an ideal start for the season and looking forward to the games ahead. The team is motivated to put in the work continue to improve.”
Highlands Claire Worley makes her way up the field against Summit.
Brown said Highlands is a young team and is working hard to improve.
“The team is looking good for the rest of the upcoming season,” said Brown. “We are a very young team with just two seniors and a total of 7 Freshman. 4 Freshman started last night and 5 of them played in total. We have to work on our possession and passing, but we will continue to grow in our skills as we develop throughout the season.”
Summit La-Donna Dallman works to maintain possession under pressure from Highlands Taylor Hays.
Summit Taylor Robinson races to keep the ball inbounds against Highlands.
Highlands Jordyn Borino controls a line-drive pass before centering the ball in front of Summit’s goal.
Highlands Goalkeeper Trinity Faust kicks it up to the Lady Highlanders offensive line.
Highlands Charlotte Westendorf works to get rid of the ball under pressure from Summit.
Summit Raquel Cuevas makes a stop and sends the ball back to Highlands territory.
Highlands Tate Wilson picks off a Summit pass and heads the other direction.
Summit Chloe Crawford stops a coast to coast Highlands drive and kicks it out of the danger zone.
Highlands Gabby Diaz heads a goal kick and chases after it without skipping a beat.
Summit Sarah Betty clears the ball out of the middle and makes her way down the sidelines.
Highlands Sadie Green controls a pass before taking a shot of goal.
Summit Yarelli Diaz kicks the ball up to the Lady Bears’ offense.
Highlands Aislynn Wyatt-Luck works her way to Summit’s goal with Summit Abbie Doerter on her heels.
Summit Lydia Hughes maintains position and clears the ball out of the danger zone.
Highlands Mac Woods rips a shot on Summit’s goal from midfield.
Summit Goalkeeper Sidney Sinclair spots an open teammate and kicks it deep up the field.
Highlands Gabby Diaz picks off a Summit pass and heads straight to the Lady Bears’ goal.
Summit Yarelli Diaz clears the ball out of Summit territory.
Highlands Taylor Hays brings the ball to the outside before sending it up the field.