Cougars able to upset No. 6 Bruins
The whispers around Anne Arundel about the Chesapeake girls soccer team started this time last week after it stayed with No. 4 South River to earn a tough road draw.
Following the Cougars’ performance at No. 6 Broadneck on Tuesday, those whispers are much more loud and clear.
The visitors were impressive in scoring two goals in the game’s first five minutes and even more impressive managing the remaining time in closing out a stunning 3-0 win over the Bruins.
Ella Shannon and Leia Black each provided a goal and assist, goalie Sarah Cuttler made five saves and strong defensive support was led by junior Amy Dolan.
Chesapeake (3-1-1) improves to 1-0-1 in Anne Arundel, while Broadneck is 3-2 and 1-1 in the league.
“We were very surprised to come out that strong, but we saw it at South River last week and we really tried to build on it,” said Dolan, a junior back and captain. “South River was a real eye-opener that we can start to hang with some of these top teams and we’re starting to get a lot more confidence. It’s really coming together. “
It all came together in a hurry Tuesday. The Cougars have been working hard on pressuring higher up the field as well as finishing their set pieces. It showed on both fronts. They earned three corner kicks in the first five minutes and converted two goals.
Shannon played a short ball to Black, who immediately gave it back to her to finish from the right side. Three minutes later, Shannon sent a ball in the middle for Ashley Chew, who headed it home to make it 2-0 just like that.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Chew, one of four seniors who had never beaten Broadneck prior. “I was not expecting that, but we have a phenomenal team this year. I was just so happy to put two away quick and then we got another with a couple minutes left. ... It’s my senior year and it’s been a fun season so far.”
Chesapeake coach Kevin Keeter says the opportunity to play against perennial Class 4A powers such as Broadneck and South River is beneficial for the Cougars as they prime for the Class 3A playoffs. Earning positive results brings that much more confidence.
“This is huge for us” he said. “We’re not going to see teams of this caliber until we’re deep in the Class 3A playoffs, so we’re super excited about the opportunity. And again we’re young with only four seniors, so we’re way ahead of schedule.”
The Bruins are used to setting the tone with their speed and pressure, but coach John Camm saw the opposite Tuesday.
“We put ourselves under pressure by not making good passes out of the back,” he said. “We got the kick off, but right off the ba, they’re down in our end getting corner kicks. We’ve got to be smarter than that and better than that.
“Hats off to [the Cougars]. They played really well. They’re good, their physical. They ... have all the ingredients of a team that can do some damage down the road.”