For the second straight time, the Berkshire Badgers girls’ soccer team has dueled Geauga County rival Kenston to a draw. The Badgers opened their season with a scoreless tie against Kenston last Friday evening at Kenston Bombers Stadium in Bainbridge Township.
“We did not go in wanting a tie obviously,” said Coach Stephanie Franks. “We wanted to compete, but we have never competed well against Kenston, so it was an exciting start to our season for sure and I think it shows a lot of promise about the discipline that these girls have for the season.”
It marked the first time that Berkshire (0-0-1, 0-0-0) dueled the Bombers in two years, as their last meeting resulted in a 1-1 draw. in the 2024 season. In 2023, the Badgers faced Kenston twice and lost both times, once in a regular season match and again in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II Northeast 2 district semifinal.
The first-year coach acknowledged that Berkshire’s track record against its Geauga County rivals has not been great.
“I think there was always a strong build-up especially knowing the record that we have had against Kenston in the past,” she added. “I thought we were not naïve and going in knowing that we were up against solid program with solid girls, but I think that they were excited to play.”
On Friday, the Geauga County rivals played a defensive match, with the Badgers’ defense being tested early and often.
Franks said that the Bombers controlled possession throughout the match but credited her defense for being stout, especially sophomore goalkeeper Kaylee Boyk, who is playing in her first season as the full-time varsity goalie.
“There were three diving saves that she had which were incredible,” Franks noted. “She touched the ball a lot There were four opportunities that I felt were dangerous and she showed up every time which was great.”
Boyk’s impressive season debut was complemented by a strong defensive performance by a back line that featured a mix of returning and new talent, led by seniors Ivy Martin and Kit Wadsworth.
“I think what our defense was able to do was that they covered the middle quite well and they communicated and worked together,” Franks said. “They limited quality shot opportunities by Kenston which is ultimately what we wanted. They dd a good job at pushing the ball out or just not allowing for a clear shot.”
The Badgers’ defense stiffened in the second half after a challenging first half, pushing the ball into Berkshire’s defensive third frequently in the first half.
According to Franks, the Badgers made subtle adjustments at the half to counter Kenston’s attack, and those changes paid dividends in the second half, limiting the Bombers to fewer high-quality shots.
“I do think we made appropriate adjustments at the center,” she added. “I think in the second half we saw fewer scoring opportunities on both ends.”
Franks acknowledged that the Badgers’ attack did not create as many scoring opportunities as Kenston, but it was not unexpected to see the attacking third be a work in progress, as it was the first varsity game played since the graduation of standout forward Kelly McCandless, who was the Badgers’ primary offensive engine the last several years.
“I think we have not had this group of players working on attacks together,” Franks said. “I think individually we have some strong athletes who have a lot of speed and a lot of knowledge of the game. Once you have that chemistry that learns to work together, I think they are going to put some goals in the back of the net together.”
Leading Berkshire’s attack this year will be junior Emma Rucinski, as the Badgers will need to find some new creators to spark the offense on what is still a defensively strong team with most of its returnees coming on defense or center of the field.
Following a road duel against Columbia on Monday evening and their home debut against Chagrin Valley Conference and Geauga County rival West Geauga on Thursday night, the Badgers will host CVC foe Perry for a league crossover duel on Aug. 25 at Great Lakes Cheese Stadium in Burton at 5 p.m.
