Bullard High School Girls Soccer Wins Central Section Division 1 Valley Championships 3-0!!!
The Bullard High School Girls Soccer team finally got to take the field for a long awaited rematch against Buchanan High School who has won the past 5 championships. Bullard played Buchanan earlier in the season in the Peggy Renberg Classic Championship game, only to end in a tie and go to PK's, which Buchanan ended up winning. Bullard players had one message to Buchanan at that time, "No Worries, we will see you in Valley Championships!!!" And that they did. And they were ready.
The Valley Championships were originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, February 26, but due to weather predictions of possible snow in Fresno, they were postponed until Tuesday, March 1. Oh and it turned out to be a perfect, sunny day on Saturday. The Bullard girls were disappointed about this, they were ready to play on Saturday, but luckily they kept the intensity and firing burning for 4 more days.
Game time finally arrived and Buchanan tried to shut down Lynn Williams by double teaming her, but they didn't have answers for the other 3 speedsters, Cassandra Fasi, Berkeley Mason, and Morgan Darling, that Bullard push up on attack. I don't think I have ever seen such speed in a group of four players set up in a lineup like this, it's truly amazing. They could no longer afford to double team Williams and that's when she made them pay, with a rocket to the top of the net from about 30+ yards out. Getting on the scoreboard first was a huge mental edge for Bullard. However, they had to be careful because Buchanan's Elise Krieghoff was playing like a beast and scaring the Bullard fans with her speed, tenacity, and amazing skill. Luckily, Bullard's defense and keeper, Amanda Johnson, made some great plays and held her scoreless.
The second half was still a nailbiter as Krieghoff was threatening everytime she touched the ball. Bullard made some halftime adjustments and they did a great job of keeping the ball from her, but everyone knew that a 1-0 lead was dangerous. Luckily Williams had another great run and beat her defender on the left side and finished with a perfect shot in the corner far post. You could feel the energy and confidence rise within Bullard and the frustration start for Buchanan, who was not used to being in this position. With 5 minutes left in the game Cassandra Fasi had a breakaway and one on one with the keeper which resulted in the nail in the coffin and an eventual Valley Championship for the Bullard Knights.
When the last whistle blew the Bullard fans rushed the field
to celebrate the girls first Valley Championship since 1985. It was a surreal night for the girls, a memory that will last a lifetime for them, a story to tell their kids and grandkids.It was an amazing victory!!!
The Bullard Knights aren't done yet, they find out soon who and where they play for the State Championships. They have a high possiblity of hosting a quarter final game. They are hungry, they are ready, they are in sync and ready to go. They have more to prove and won't be satisfied until they bring home the State Title.
Go Knights!!!!
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