Bainbridge soccer routs archrival Cairo
Published 1:56 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2025
After a grueling and emotional matchup against Peach County on March 14th, Bainbridge soccer coach Brian Hill reflected on the benefits of having only one game last week. He emphasized how the lighter schedule allowed both the boys’ and girls’ teams to focus on more intensive and effective practice sessions. “It worked out,” Hill noted. “We got better practices, and it ended up helping us. It was a good thing.”
The BHS girls’ soccer team picked up another critical region win, defeating their heated rivals, the Cairo Syrupmaids, and improving their record to 7-3, 5-0. Mya Kimble struck first in the 19th minute after a beautiful through ball by Addison Hill (a soccer pass placed between two opposing defenders into open space) to give the Bearcats a 1-0 advantage. Hill would extend BHS’s lead to two with a goal in the 47th minute. No. 20 junior midfielder and defender Lydia Bentley was the recipient of the assist.
The BHS boys’ soccer team unleashed their full force against their archrival, the Cairo Syrupmakers, dominating every moment of the match. With unrelenting intensity, they surged to a 3-0 lead by halftime and sealed their emphatic victory with two more goals in the second half, leaving no doubt in this fierce, historic rivalry showdown.
Junior No. 10 forward and midfielder Jose Bonilla-Ortiz had four goals, scoring in the 7th, 48th, 59th, and 74th minute, respectively. His best performance of the season to date.
Junior No. 13 forward and midfielder Angel Bonilla-Ortiz scored in the 44th minute, coming right out of halftime to keep the pressure on. The No. 1 defender, Santino Gallo, recorded an assist, and No. 22 midfielder Henry Vanstone recorded two assists.
The Bearcats’ intensity was clear from the jump, with how they attacked the ball and kept playing with a 0-0 mentality.
During the girls’ match, Coach Hill highlighted a key halftime adjustment that helped the Bearcats maintain its 1-0 lead against Cairo. With Bainbridge battling against the wind, Hill moved Addison Hill back into a defensive position to better handle the opponent’s offensive threats. The adjustment proved effective, as the team held strong defensively, clearing the ball and neutralizing the opposition’s key playmaker.
The standout performance of the night belonged to Saniya Brown, Bainbridge’s goalkeeper, who delivered an exceptional game with several impressive saves. Hill praised her growth throughout the season, saying, “She plays multiple sports, and she’s improving with each game and practice. Against Peach County, she had another really good game.”
The boys’ side also had a strong showing, with Geovanny Alcantar-Granados stepping into the goalkeeper role. Although this season is his first time consistently playing in goal, Alcantar-Grandados has displayed tremendous progress, thanks to a focused week of goalkeeper training. “He played in a big way tonight,” said Hill. “His confidence continues to grow, and it’s showing in his performance.”
On the offensive end, Jose Bonilla-Ortiz stole the spotlight, finishing the game with a remarkable super hat trick. After struggling with an early-season injury, Bonilla-Ortiz is now back to full speed, regaining his stamina and sharpness. “When he’s at full speed, he’s a really good player,” Hill shared. “It’s great to have him back and make such a big impact on the field.”
With standout individual performances and smart strategic adjustments, the Bainbridge soccer teams are poised to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches as they welcomed Monroe to Centennial Field on Tuesday night. They travel to Albany to play a region opponent the Westover Patriots, on Thursday. The girls match will begin at its regular 5:30 p.m. slot followed by the boys playing at 7:30 p.m.
