by WESTLAKE, OH – It was a close game the whole way through, but the Westlake Demons did just enough to come out on top, defeating the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Lady Bees 6-5.
The Lady Bees got off to a quick start, jumping ahead 3-2 after the first quarter. The Demons stayed right there though, answering early and keeping it from turning into a fast runaway. The Lady Bees continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, adding two more goals to go into halftime up 5-3. They were able to take advantage of their open shots when it mattered most.
As the game went on, Westlake started to find more rhythm offensively. They were able to tie things up with the Lady Bees in the third quarter, not allowing them to score a single goal. The game was tied 5-5 heading into the fourth.
In the fourth, Westlake showed their outstanding team defense ability. They did not allow the Lady Bees to score in the entire fourth quarter. It was 5-5 the entire fourth quarter, until the final three minutes.
#1 Adelynn Schwarzer scored a go-ahead goal in the final three minutes of the game to put the Demons up 6-5. All Westlake had to do now was continue playing the same kind of defense they’ve been playing the entire second half. And they did just so.
The Demons did not let the Lady Bees score in the entire second half. Their team defense and ability to outscore the Lady Bees in the second half was the difference in this game.
Many players on Westlake stood out tonight. #1 Adelynn Schwarzer had two goals on the night, both coming late in the second half. She was tonight’s player of the game. #2 Megan Klima, #9 Sophie Frey, #16 Eve Harrison, and #52 Maya Gentry all had goals during the game. The Demons showed that many different players were able to contribute.
The Lady Bees struggled tremendously in the second half, but they had bright spots during the first. #1 Jayla Collard played amazing, scoring three times and dishing out an assist during the game. #7 Anna Costin was the other bright spot for Brecksville-Broadview Heights, scoring twice. The Lady Bees struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the second half, which is the main reason they couldn’t come away.
Overall, it was one of those games that could have gone either way. Brecksville-Broadview Heights started the game out looking like the team to beat, but Westlake never gave up. Their outstanding second-half defense was the complete difference in the game, and the reason they won 6-5.
