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The Bainbridge High School boys and girls Bearcat soccer teams are continuing to rack up wins as the boys team currently sits at 7-1-2 and the girls team sits at 6-3-1. Most recently, teams have begun Region play and are already making noise as the girls team picked up wins against Shaw and Cairo, and the boys team picked up a historic win against Cairo. 

In a thrilling victory against Shaw, the Lady Cats soccer team took it all the way down to the wire as they won in a penalty kick shootout, as the Lady Cats went a perfect four for four in their shootout attempts. Sophomore Addison Hill picked up a goal and netted in a penalty kick in their win as they started Region play off with a win. In their win against Shaw, head coach Brian Hill was especially pleased with the way his players handled adversity and stepped up to make their penalty kicks. 

“It was a really tight game the whole way through and our girls just kept competing and kept being aggressive and came through when it mattered most,” said Hill. “The girls were able to step up and make all four penalty kicks and I was really proud of the way they were able to handle adversity and get the win.”

On Tuesday night, the boys team made history as they defeated Cairo 3-0, which was their first win against Cairo since 2014. Stellar defense led by goalie Dax Willis, along with two goals by Jose Bonilla-Ortiz and assists by Brock Williams gave the Bearcats their first Region win of the year and seventh overall on the season. 

“The Cairo win was a big morale booster for the boys since it was their first win against Cairo since 2014,” said Hill. “They played good defense which is always what we emphasize and we just need to keep getting better everyday.”

Offensively for the boys team, they are led by freshman Jose Bonilla-Ortiz and junior Brock Williams who both lead the team in goals and assists on the season. Williams leads the team with 15 goals on the year followed by Bonilla-Ortiz with 14. Not only is their scoring ability a tough matchup for their opponents, but their passing ability has been displayed all season long as Bonilla-Ortiz has notched nine assists on the season followed by Williams with six on the year. 

“Brock and Jose play well together and compliment each other well,” said Hill. “They feed off each other and are able to create opportunities to get each other the ball. We need to continue to create space and opportunities for them to have the ball and create scoring opportunities.”

On the girls side, Addison Hill and Kay Lee Lopez have energized the Lady Cats with their speed, vision, and ability to adapt. Hill leads the team in goals with 13 on the year, and Lopez leads the team in assists with four on the year, despite moving to defense after the Lady Cats suffered injuries. 

“Addison is very quick and creates scoring opportunities with her speed,” said Hill. “Kay Lee was playing well on offense and we moved her back to defense because we had some injuries and she still produces. She hustles and works hard and does what we ask her to do.”

Seeing success in Region play early in the season has given the Bearcat teams confidence and motivation that they can be one of the top competitors in their Region when the end of the season comes. 

“Anytime you win and have success it’s going to elevate the team and motivate them,” said Hill. “We just need to keep doing what we do, get better each practice and each game and by the end of the season make sure we’re playing the best soccer we can.”

The Bearcat teams will be back at home on Tuesday night as they take on Westover at 5:30p.m. at Centennial Field.