Box Score
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - It was a record-setting day for
Brittany Griffore (Maple Grove, Minn.) and the Bethel women's soccer team as they defeated St. Catherine University, 1-0.
By scoring a goal today, Griffore becomes the record holder for most points in a single season with 35 and ties Lauren Johnson's single season goal record of 14. After today's game, the 2009 team now holds the record for most wins in a season, with 12. The multiple other records set this year include: most wins in MIAC play (5), fewest losses (5), most goals scored (56), fewest goals allowed (15), and most shutouts in a season (9).
Today's game remained close throughout and was scoreless through the first half. Each team had a few scoring chances and the game turned chippy in the second half.
Kelsey Flaherty (Fr., Shoreview, Minn.) received a yellow card in the 57th minute and a Saint Catherine player retaliated seconds later, but simply received a foul. The physical nature continued deep into the second half and in the 80th minute
Carolyn Kishaba (So., Eau Claire, Wis.) stuck a beautiful deep ball that the Wildcat goaltender appeared to catch but could not hold onto. The ball squirted out of her hands and found the record-setting foot of Griffore, who put it into the back of the net.
The Wildcats would get one last shot with two seconds left on a set piece, but the shot was too high and the Royals came away with their third consecutive conference victory and a positive end to a successful season.
"As evidenced by three straight victories, we gained the experience needed to win in the MIAC and it was a great season," said Head Coach PepeJon Chavez, "it was the best season in MIAC play ever for Bethel."
For the game, each team put three shots on goal. The Wildcats committed seven fouls to the Royals four and Bethel attempted nine corner kicks to Saint Catherine's five. Flaherty led Bethel with two shots on goal and
Alyssa Riggs came up with three saves to preserve the shut out. Christina Paik put two shots on goal to lead St Catherine.
Smiling and soaking in the victory, coach Chavez recognized the stellar play of the seniors and their leadership through a ground breaking season. "The seniors were catalysts in bringing this program along," said Coach Chavez, "Without them our program is not where it is today. I'm gonna miss them."
"These girls are tough, and I was tough on them because they needed it," said Chavez, "They needed to be pushed to believe that they were this good. Now we've got that confidence and we're there."
The four seniors on the team,
Breanna Posey (Sr., Champlin, Minn.),
Kiersten Hansen (Eden Prairie, Minn.),
Katelynn Hains (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.), and
Kelci Schedler (Sr., Fond du Lac, Wis.) wrapped up their careers with a win on their home turf. Even with the success they garnered this season, it was the friendships each senior said they will cherish. "Relationships have been the number one thing to take away," said Hains.
"It's been a blast," said Posey, "You can't put it into words, it was four years of growing in faith and soccer."
Schindler summed it all up in one word, "Incredible."
As the seniors move on, a young core will look to develop and build on the groundwork laid by those who will be gone.
"We are a program with a strong future," said Chavez, "We have a strong recruiting class and each time we step on the field we want to win for Christ."
Two words, "Bold Faith," have been used over and over throughout the season, serving as the team motto every time they crossed the white lines onto the field. The team broke the huddle with those words and the players realized that there is more to the team than simply soccer.
"We always go out there to win, but we know that God is there with us," said Posey, "'Bold Faith' is why we play and we're playing for Him."
By ending the season on a high note with a 12-5-1 overall record and a 5-5-1 mark in MIAC play, bigger and better things can be expected next season. Hard work in the off season and results are needed come next year, but if there is one thing this team learned, it is that anything is possible as long as they trust in each other and maintain "Bold Faith."
