The Bainbridge High School Junior Varsity soccer team completed their season on Monday, March 26th at Centennial Field with a 2-2 draw versus the Brookwood Warriors from Thomasville.

The visitors from Brookwood opened up the scoring after breaking out in a quick counter-attack following a Bearcat direct kick that was intercepted by a Brookwood defender in the 20th minute. 

The Bearcats answered with a goal of their own in the 25th minute when midfielder Robert Smith played a perfect through ball behind the Brookwood back line of defenders for Mason Ard to run onto and shoot past the oncoming Brookwood keeper.  The game went to halftime with the teams knotted at one goal each.  In the 57th minute, Brookwood broke down the Bearcat back line of defense and scored a goal to put them ahead 2-1.  Although the Bearcats were down, they were not out.  In the 59th minute, Bainbridge scored the equalizer when Mason Ard beat several Brookwood defenders and crossed the ball to the back post where Logan Holley was charging in to finish with authority.  Although both teams pressed for the game winner, a 2-2 draw was the eventual final score.

The Junior Varsity boys finished their season with a 1-1-2 record (one win, one loss, two draws).  The Bearcats’ victory came versus Thomas County Central Junior Varsity (3-0).  The boys drew in their second game with the Thomaville Bulldog middle school team (1-1).  The Bearcats suffered their loss to the Brookwood Warriors in Thomasville (0-3).

“The boys played hard each game, and they gained much valuable experience that they will carry over to the varsity in years to come.  I am proud of the efforts the boys gave each game,” coach said.

Eighth grader, Mason Ard, led the team in scoring with four total goals for the season in three games played due to injury, and he had the game-tying assist in the final match against Brookwood.  Stokes Moore and Logan Holley accounted for a goal each on the season.  Eighth grader Zaccheus Chrispen also provided an assist on the season.

Many players contributed to the team’s success.  Jacob Brown was solid playing goalkeeper, and he continues to develop into a fine goalkeeping prospect for the future.  Daniel Victor also played well in goal when called upon to do so.  Jesus Sanchez, Garrett Sigman, Nick Hodges, Clayton Lewis, and Angel Guzman played solid and reliable defensively.  Andru Matthews and Holden White stepped up and played well defensively in the season finale as well.  Tristan Brannon, Fredy Salvador, Jose Avalo, and Alfredo Rodriguez all played hard in the midfield.  Stokes Moore, Aiden Matthews, and Ashton Matthews all worked hard as wingers as they made long runs up and down the flanks countless times defending, looking to cross the ball into teammates so that they may score, and working diligently to score a goal of their own.

“As these players continue to grow and develop, we look forward to their contributions at the varsity level in the years to come.”