The Bulldogs traveled away for their first away game of the season with a 4-0 victory over The Union County Patriots.
The first goal came quick from Batesville @ 37.21 counting down from the 40 minute half. Michael Ripperger sprinted the ball down the left wing beating his man and then played in towards goal where Daniel Gutzwiller crashed in taking a nice touch into the net. Ten minutes later Ripperger found himself in a similar situation, but this one was finished by his low placed shot out of reach from the keeper. The last goal of the half @ 18.34 came from a loose ball sent into the box off of a corner. Henry Lipinski, defensive center, was pressed up and able to score our 3rd goal.
The second half started out with the Bulldogs working passes on the ground well. With 9.22 left on the clock, Ian Yorn went into a strong challenge and the ball was knocked forward in our favor where Ripperger was able to finish first touch.
Batesville traveled to Union County to open their 2017 soccer season. Tuesday night was about much more than soccer however. Union County’s senior GK Hannah Soper was tragically killed in a car accident last Thursday. Both teams honored Soper with a moment of silence, some memories shared by the Union County AD, and her jersey was laid on the ground in the goal as the Batesville players placed roses around it to start the game. Soper was honored for the first 13 seconds as Union County possessed the ball and played without a GK. “Save Soper” will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Union County fans.
Once the game got started, it was a tough battle for both teams as Batesville maintained the majority of the possession but Union County held a tight back line. The Lady Bulldogs found the back of the net three times in the first half. Taylor Rowlett got the Lady Bulldogs on the scoreboard first. Baylee Rohlfing took a throw-in that sprung Rowlett past the defender and she took a strong left-footed shot from the corner of the 18 that found the side net for the score. Gabi Garcia put Batesville up 2-0 with a long shot from 30 yards out that the GK mishandled. The third and final tally for the first half was put away by Allison Storms after a nice layoff pass from Lily Esser. Union County was able to catch the Lady Bulldogs sleeping after a foul deep in Batesville territory with 33 seconds to play in the half. The Lady Patriots quick played Batesville and found an open player inside the box for the score.
The second half was all Batesville as they added 6 more to the score. Carlie Werner got the scoring started early with a great individual effort to dribble past several players and finished with a strong shot into the back of the net. Rowlett notched her 2nd goal of the game off an assist from Liz Heidlage. Storms also notched her 2nd goal of the match after a rebound bounced out to the top of the 18 where Storms took a nice 1-time driven shot into the back of the net. Marigrace Anderson marked the 7th score for the Lady Bulldogs on another nice layoff assist by Liz Heidlage. Werner was able to add to her tally as well later in the 2nd half with a great header goal off an assist from Rowlett. The 9th and final score of the match was finished by Ashlyn Czerniak with a nice cut back to her left foot and was able to pass it pass the GK. Abbey Prickel was credited the assist as she found Czerniak in space behind the Lady Patriot Defense.
Courtesy of Bulldogs Coaches Kyle Hunteman and Kyle Laker.