Like so many teams in any sport at any level, the Riverside Brookfield girls soccer team has struggled with a common malady-inconsistency. Along with vital intangibles like team chemistry and confidence, the Bulldogs’ best panacea simply is winning. Wisely, the Bulldogs decided to take two (as in victories) last week, building momentum for this week’s busy slate of games.
The Bulldogs (3-4, 2-2 Metro Suburban Conference) earned their two wins against conference opponents Ridgewood and Elmwood Park. Against Ridgewood, the Bulldogs executed their game plan effectively during a 4-1 win. A trio of seniors, Therese Hansen, Jamie Magdic and Stephanie Magdic, along with sophomore forward Yuritz Chavez all scored to pace a balanced offensive attack. Gaby Galindo assisted on two of the RB goals.
“We played a good game,” said first-year RB head coach Marisa Dobertin. “Our girls played soccer the way we like to play it [here]. The whole team was able to see some action on the field.”
On Saturday, the Bulldogs continued their winning ways with a 2-1 win over Elmwood Park. Chavez (assisted by Ellie Bergstrome) and Galindo both scored goals to ignite the comeback win. Trailing 1-0 and playing a bit lackluster, RB managed to even the score at one-all before the half. In the second half, the revitalized Bulldogs looked much sharper en route to the victory.
“We had a let up defensively and fell behind [1-0],” said Dobertin. “Our play came together in the second half and we were able to keep the ball.”
With two consecutive conference wins, the Bulldogs are working toward a third meeting with Fenton, which already has defeated RB twice by 1-0 scores.
“Those two games were very close,” Dobertin said. “We are looking forward to playing [Fenton] again.”
Featuring over half a roster of players with varsity experience, Dobertin also has been pleased with the play of two freshmen Anita Balciunas and Caitlyn Vranek. Balciunas is a gifted all-around player with great speed and the backup to star goalkeeper Grace Lowery. Vranek is a valuable defensive player.
“I decided to call up Anita and Caitlyn to the varsity and they have done a nice job for us,” added Dobertin.
Maggie Berry, Lauren Hesslau, Rosa Padilla, Kelli Beimal, Maritza Arcos, Laura Vazquez, Cathy Kaczmarczyk, Sarah Leibrandt and Maria Ricker all have contributed as well this season.
The Bulldogs travel to Ridgewood for a game Thursday before returning home for a couple of games against Elmwood Park Friday and non-conference opponent, Leyden, Saturday.