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The Bainbridge High School boys and girls soccer teams are off to a great start to the 2023 season as both teams sit with winning records after five games into the season. As the boys team defeated Fitzgerald and Sherwood Christian Academy and the girls team defeated Colquitt County as well as Sherwood Christian Academy, the 2023 Bearcats are showing that they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Most recently, the Bearcats best performance of the season came against Sherwood Christian Academy as both boys and girls teams held SCA to a shutout. Defense is something that head coach Brian Hill emphasizes with his team and something they work tirelessly on during their practices. Seeing their defensive prowess improve each game is something that Coach Hill and the Bearcats pride themselves on.

“The last few games we’ve really stepped it up defensively and it’s shown as both teams pitched shutouts against Sherwood,” said Hill. “They’ve been really aggressive and going after the ball and embracing our identity of being aggressive. It’s a really smart group and we’re just going to continue to attack and make the most of opportunities that are presented our way.”

For the girls team, sophomore Addison Hill was a force on the offensive side of the ball, notching two of the Bearcats three goals and also picking up an assist. Junior Dallis Thompson picked up the third goal for the Bearcats and Seniors Brennyn Timmons and Kay Lee Lopez picked up assists along the way. Senior goalie Destiny Woodard also picked up her first shutout of the 2023 season in their win against Sherwood.

For the boys team, junior Brock Williams has been one of the Bearcats stars on offense with seven goals in the first five games. Jose Bonilla-Ortiz also has notched seven goals of his own through the first five games, averaging 1.8 goals per game. Bonilla-Ortiz has also picked up five assists on the season so far, as well as 19 total points to go along with his seven goals.

“Offensively we’re doing a great job of possessing the ball and moving it around and creating opportunities to score,” said Hill. “We have a lot of unselfish players on this team and we do a great job of just trying to get the best shot. We just need to keep doing that and make sure to take care of the ball and limit turnovers.”

For Hill and his team, the most important thing they will continue to work on is conditioning, rhythm and defense. With soccer season being a long marathon, Hill is focused on keeping his players fresh and getting better everyday.

“I would say getting into a rhythm and pushing the pace of play just comes with time and experience,” said Hill. “We’re going to continue to push and work hard each day and get better at everything we do.”