It does not matter if the Cuyahoga Heights’ team name changed to the Red Wolves, the Berkshire Badgers girls’ soccer team still has their number.
The Badgers remain undefeated in conference play and against their Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division rivals, winning 4-1 last Thursday evening at Great Lakes Cheese Stadium in Burton.
“We have come out on the winning side against Cuyahoga Heights the last few years,” said Coach Ian Patterson. “But I’m sure the other girls have mentioned this, they always play us tough. We have felt we have the more talented team the last few years but it has always been a one-goal contest until this year.”
Since being reassigned to the CVC Metro Division in 2021, Berkshire (6-2-1, 2-0-0) has not lost against the Red Wolves, having now won three consecutive contests against their conference foes.
The Badgers controlled possession in the first half and attacked the box frequently, paced by senior forward and leading scorer Evania McCandless but Berkshire’s offense dribbled the ball too much, allowing Red Wolves’ junior goalkeeper Skylar Sane time to come out of the net and make saves.
“There were some little decision-making things here and there,” the sixth-year coach acknowledged. “A couple of times they should have dribbled when they passed and should have passed when they dribbled. It was some little things that we will watch on film and try to dial in.”
McCandless, the reigning CVC Metro Division MVP, saw her usual fair share of double-teams but still generated quality looks at the net but could not finish.
According to the Cedarville University commit, she was getting a little frustrated at the missed chances.
She finally converted when she broke free from a defender on a fast break and scored the game’s first goal inside the 30 minute mark of regulation, putting the Badgers ahead 1-0.
“I had a couple of missed shots in the beginning,” she said. “Those made me pretty mad and I was just thinking if I get the ball next time I am going to go for it so I took the ball around the 50 and turned around and scored. I was just sick of missing.”
McCandless followed up with another goal when she chased down a free kick off a pass from her younger sister, Kelly, in the 31st minute, extending the Badgers’ advantage to 2-0.
According to Patterson, scoring in spurts has been a common trend.
“It seems to be pretty streaky lately,” he said. “When we find goals we find them quick. Against Aurora on Monday night we came out and scored one in the first three minutes and put another one in the next minute so we were up 2-0 in the first five minutes and then we were up 3-0 in the first 15 minutes. We have put it on them early and often lately.”
The Badgers’ defense stifled Cuyahoga Heights in the first half, allowing only four shots on goal with only one shot coming in the box.
Having graduated their entire defensive line, the Badgers have relied on a back line filled with underclassmen such as sophomore Alie Ruchalski, freshman midfielder Ivy Martin, freshman defender Clair Corbett and freshman midfielder Kit Wadsworth.
Senior goalkeeper Sarah Wendl, the sole returnee on defense, said Berkshire’s young defense has adjusted to varsity action.
“With our defense right now, our ability to play up to this level with a bunch of these freshmen coming in is amazing,” she said. “All of the underclassmen that play on defense, it is really good to see them picking it up and playing at this higher pace and I am really proud of them.”
Berkshire continued imposing its will against the Red Wolves in the second half when Evania added her third goal, booting in a shot from the right corner just beyond the top of the box off an assist from senior midfielder Alyssa Lawson inside the 54th minute of regulation, pushing the Badgers’ advantage to 3-0.
Kelly delivered the dagger when she scored on a shot from the top of the box, off another assist by Lawson in the 55th minute of play, stretching the lead to 4-0.
The Red Wolves trimmed Berkshire’s advantage to 4-1 when junior goalkeeper Skylar Sane scored on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute of play but the Badgers’ defense kept Cuyahoga Heights from creating point-blank looks at the net.
“They’ve made so much progress so far this year,” said Patterson. “Coming in the first game of the year against Chardon and then Kirtland coming to us. We have given up goals in every game but we go back and watch film and break it down and we learn from it every single game and we rarely make the same mistake twice.”
Following a home contest against Lake Catholic on Tuesday, the Badgers will hit the road and take on CVC Metro Division foe Wickliffe at Wickliffe Blue Devil Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m.
