The Batesville Lady Bulldogs played an exciting last home game of the 2017 season on Tuesday night as they faced off against the Columbus North Lady Bulldogs. Batesville improved to 13-2 with an impressive 4-3 victory over the visiting Lady Bulldogs.
After a slow start to the game last night against East Central, Batesville got off to a fast start on Tuesday night scoring twice in the first 11 minutes. After earning an early corner kick, Ellie Cassidy put a good ball into the box that Baylee Rohlfing was able to control and she found Georgia Gratz inside the 6-yard box. Gratz settled the ball and found an opening for the score. 4 minutes later, Batesville struck again. This time, it was Liz Heidlage who struck a quick shot from distance that rocketed past the opposing GK for the score. Bre Moman was credited the assist. After a Columbus North score on a direct kick, Batesville was able to increase the lead to 3-1 with 18 minutes to play in the first half. A great ball found Hailey Mohr into space on the right wing and she took a great cross that went up and over the GK and found a wide open Carlie Werner for a great header goal. With 11 seconds to play in the half, Columbus North was awarded a very questionable penalty kick. After Columbus North converted the penalty kick, Batesville would take a narrow 3-2 lead into halftime.
The JV Lady Bulldogs put up an impressive fight against the Columbus North Bulldogs on Tuesday evening winning 1-0.
The ladies returned to the field after a tough loss to the East Central Trojans from the previous night. Even with sore and tired legs from the battle the night before, the ladies efforts and heads were high on Tuesday. Batesville controlled the ball on both halves of the field in the first half of the game. Their offense was hungry to score and their defense was adamently not going to let up to Columbus North. With only a couple minutes remaining in the first half Kayla E Meyer, from the back line, played a beautiful through ball to Callie Main up top. Callie took a simple touch and placed the ball in the back of the net to give Batesville the lead. Olive Cerniglia had great hands in the goal during the first half to keep Columbus North scoreless. Lily Esser and Gabby Gibbs played a strong game in the midfield to help support both the offense and defense when they had possession of the ball. Batesville went into half time with a 1-0 lead on Columbus North.
When returning in the second half, the game started a little slow for Batesville. Passes weren’t connecting as effortlessly as in the first half, but that did not stop the ladies from trying. From the defense, Rachel Kuntz and Kayla E Meyer led the team by pushing up and holding a high line. With solid support from their outside defenders, Kayla Stone, Chloe Saler, and Kayla H Meyer, the defense was able to help keep Columbus North off the score board for the remainder of the game.
Coach Griggs shared, “The JV team has improved immensely throughout this season. I cannot believe the growth that I have seen from each and every player. I am proud and honored to be the coach of such a wonderful group of ladies.”