Magnificat sophomore Megan Blake jumps high for a header during the Blue Streaks 2-1 win over Bay. Blake scored both goals for the Blue Streaks. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Streaks come together in win over Bay
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published Sept. 27, 2006

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For Bay coach Beth English, the first half of the Magnificat game was not a pretty sight. Her team played flat and allowed the Blue Streaks to dictate play.

A Bay miscommunication on defense led to a foul, giving the Streaks an opportunity they took advantage of. Magnificat junior Meaghan Hennessy's free kick found sophomore Megan Blake in the left corner and she slipped it past Bay junior goalie Kristen DeWees.

"I just followed up the cross and hit it backdoor," Blake said.

The goal gave Magnificat a 1-0 halftime lead. Bay came out much more aggressive in the second half. Senior Katie Kinkelaar had two early chances to score. Senior Leigh Morrison had a header that nearly went in and on the ensuing corner kick, Bay players had two header chances before Magnificat freshman goal keeper Mattie Liston made the save. Bay kept the pressure on as junior Sarah Hoffman had two good chances to score. Then with just over 17 minutes remaining, junior Jamie Greene laced a rocket shot that nearly bent the crossbar. You could hear the crowd literally moan together on what it would take to score. But the Bay players did not give up on the play. Morrison got the rebound first and played the ball right back in to Kinkelaar, who finally found the back of the net.

"Beth always says to follow up the shot," Kinkelaar said. "I thought there was a chance it would not go in so I followed it. Leigh just kicked right back to me and I shot it in."

"Katie is doing an amazing job this year," English said. "She has stepped up to be our leading scorer when Farv (Lauren Farver) got injured.”

Now it was time for Magnificat first year head coach Katie Eckelman to see how her team would respond to adversity.

And less than five minutes later, one of her leaders made a play when it was needed. Senior midfielder Halle Waite made a cross to find Blake in front of the goal and she made it count to give the Blue Streaks back the lead.

"That was typical of how Halle plays," Eckelman said. "She is always there at the right moment. She is very consistent and works hard."

The Magnificat midfield and defense did the rest and the Blue Streaks held on to win 2-1.

"We have been working on trying to come together and play well and consistent together as a team," Eckelman said. "It was good to see how we responded to giving up that goal. They fought back together because they really wanted it together. "

Captain and senior defender Sarah Blake said the team finally came together as a cohesive unit. She was also proud of her younger sister Megan's two goals.

"We finally stepped it up and clicked as a team," Blake said. "My sister is amazing. She impresses me every time and definitely a team player who works hard every time."

Eckelman was particularly proud of her defense.

"I think we did well shutting them down in an organized fashion," she said. "I can't say enough about our sweeper Monica Helfrich. She is a senior captain and she is the player I have looked to since day one to be the backbone of our team. I think she has accepted that role. She moved from a forward to a sweeper and that can be hard to do. She has settled into her role and has become a leader. Our goal keeper, Mattie, is a freshman and she has completely stepped up. She has done an exceptional job."

The Blue Streaks are now 5-4. Bay fell to 5-3-2. English was not happy about her team's play in the first half, but she thought they responded in the second half.

"They stepped it up the second half after playing flat the first half," English said. "We talked about it at the break and they came back and played their game in the second half."

Bay could use the added offensive weapon as Farver, who has yet to play this season, is working out with team and getting closer to being ready to lace it up.

"Lauren is training with us and it is her decision to step on the field," English said.

It is a prospect that has Kinkelaar excited.

"I am excited for her to come back and hopefully it will be soon," Kinkelaar said. "We could use her to score some goals."