Bearcats’ Soccer Resolve Tested and Strengthened in Tough Matches
Published 2:41 pm Friday, February 28, 2025
Photo via BHS Broadcasting Matthew Strickland.
Photo via BHS Broadcasting Matthew Strickland.
Photo via BHS Broadcasting Matthew Strickland.
Photo via BHS Broadcasting Matthew Strickland.
Photo via BHS Broadcasting Matthew Strickland.
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Both the girls’ and boys’ Bearcats programs faced decisive losses against 7A Dothan. However, varsity soccer coach Brian Hill mentioned that playing high-level competition helps identify weaknesses, which is beneficial from a coaching perspective.
“Playing that level of competition will help us later in the season against our region opponents,” Hill said. “Even if you’re outmanned, sometimes scheduling those tough opponents makes us better.”
The Bainbridge Bearcats (2-3, 0-0) were back on the pitch at Centennial Field after a road trip to Valdosta and Dothan, Alabama, and took on another fellow Dothan team in the Providence Christian Eagles last Tuesday to end non-region play. The varsity girls defeated the Eagles 5-4 but it wasn’t before a chaotic last three minutes of action.
The Bearcats held a 2-1 advantage at the break and strengthened their lead to three goals leading 5-2.
“We had a foul which gave them a free kick and they scored off the free kick,” Hill said. “Then we had lapses in focus defensively where we allowed the girls to get behind us and score some cheap goals, we held on at the end, it’s always good to review the tape after a win, knowing we can improve in areas of the game”
Senior forward No. 3 Addison Hill had a jaw-dropping performance scoring a quintuple. Freshman defender Khylashia Miller had a gorgeous through ball that led to a breakaway goal for Hill that was critical to a second-half hat-trick for her.
“We want to play as fast as we can, each team is a little bit different each year,” Hill said. “Skillset-wise we have to figure out what our strengths are and play to our strengths. We’re not as much a possession team as we are trying to play solid defense.”
Junior goaltender No. 20 Lydia Bentley made multiple saves, but her penalty kick save in the second half will be remembered for her stellar performance in the net.
The varsity boys Bearcats soccer team had no late-game drama as they throttled Providence Christian 8-1 in the primetime spot under the lights. It was a brilliant display of offensive possession and aggressive attacking against wingers for the full eighty minutes. Scoring early in any game is key, but the Bearcats (3-2, 0-0) put the pedal to the medal, scoring in the fourth minutes and sixth minutes to put the Eagles on their heels.
“Angel Bonilla-Ortiz scored the first three goals almost in the first 15 minutes of the game, at least the first 20 minutes,” Hill said. “He also had two assists, another player that had a hat trick as well, and he’s a kid we’re having to move somewhere around and play defense, but we also want to try moving him to the midfield because he’s one of our best decision-makers is Henry Vanstone.”
Both juniors attacked the midfield defense of the Eagles with force and a pace that was tough to match. The Bearcat’s performance against Valwood carried over to their last non-region home game and allowed the offense to play with a flow due to the high intelligence quotient of the upperclassmen.
Their comeback on the road against Valwood, winning 3-2 after being down by two goals, was impressive and showed toughness, resolve, and the ability to make crucial adjustments.
“We weren’t very aggressive and were watching the ball,” Hill said. “We had a good talk at halftime and came out a whole lot more focused and attacked the ball.”
No. 9 Eduardo Miranda and No. 12 Olegario Villegas-Ramos two All-Region second-team selections from last year, each scored a goal a piece and Miranda had two assists to go along with his stellar offensive performance.
No. 44 sophomore goalkeeper Geovanny Alcantar-Grandos preserved the shutout through 80 minutes against Providence Christian and is a confident booster for the multi-skilled athlete.
The Bearcats will next be on the pitch at Monroe Tuesday evening with the girls beginning at 5:30 and the boys playing at the regular 7:30 time slot. The Bearcats will be back hosting their first region opponent the Westover Patriots on March 6, with the regular scheduled times girls taking the pitch at 5:30 and the boys playing under the lights at 7:30.
