Ten Games In, Soccer Team Finally Loses

Maggie Callihan (left) celebrates with Kate Gilmore after Gilmore's goal makes it 4-0 against Valley on April 20 at Brentwood High School. (All photos by Steve Bowman) — Maggie Callihan (left) celebrates with Kate Gilmore after Gilmore’s goal makes it 4-0 against Valley Park on April 19 at Brentwood High School. (All photos by Steve Bowman)

But Eagles, 9-1, remain perfect in conference

By Steve Bowman
Editor, The Brentwood Spirit
Email: bowmansj@sbcglobal.net

News flash: The Brentwood High School girls soccer team has finally lost.

On April 25, over one month into the season, the Eagles took their 9-0 record to O’Fallon, Mo., to try to make it 10-0 against Christian High School. Facing a Class 2 team with a winning record, they came home feeling the sting of an 8-1 defeat.

The last time a BHS girls soccer team went 9-0 was in 2003, current coach Cory Grage’s second year here. That team also lost its 10th game, 5-1 to Lutheran St. Charles.

Head coach Cory Grage talks to his players during halftime of the Valley Park game. He's in his 15th season with the Eagles, who are off to their best start since 2003. — Head coach Cory Grage talks to his players during halftime of the Valley Park game. He’s in his 15th season with the Eagles, who are off to their best start since 2003.

Of more strategic importance to the Eagles were their victories over Hancock and Valley Park last week. They shut out both opponents to remain atop the standings in the South Central Athletic Association Conference. They’re 5-0 in the league and have outscored those teams 17-3, but haven’t yet played second-place Crossroads because of rainouts.

Ten games in, seniors Kate Gilmore and Abby Harper have each scored nine goals for BHS, with sophomore Amanda Ingersoll getting seven and freshman Maddie Dorenbusch six. Gilmore has nine assists, ninth best in the St. Louis area, according to stlhighschoolsports.com.

Freshman Rachel Walthall has started in goal for the past three games, replacing the injured freshman Logan Darrow.

Abby Harper (right) finds an obstacle in Valley Park's Eva Gonzalez. — Abby Harper (right) finds an obstacle in Valley Park’s Eva Gonzalez.

Kate Gilmore (left) dribbles past Jane Doe of Valley Park. — Kate Gilmore (left) breaks for the Valley Park goal ahead of Lexie Waldman (left) and Mikayla Grembocki.

In the photos above and below, Amanda Ingersoll suddenly cuts left to get the ball past Valley Park's Lexie Waldman. — In the photos above and below, Amanda Ingersoll suddenly cuts left to get the ball past Valley Park’s Lexie Waldman.

Maddie Dorenbusch dribbles against Valley Park's Jane Doe. — Maddie Dorenbusch (left) battles with Valley Park’s Ana Mireles.

Goalkeeper Rachel Walthall gets warmed up before the Valley Park game. — Goalkeeper Rachel Walthall gets warmed up before Valley Park.

April 25: 8-1 loss at O’Fallon Christian (8-6)
Brentwood: Madelyn Dorenbusch, 1 goal; losing GK Rachel Walthall. Christian: Maddie Parker, 5 goals; Chloe Hall, 2 goals; Morgan Ellebrecht, 1 goal; winning GK Grace Kinsey, 6 saves.

Megan Shipley gets a shot on goal that goes just wide left.

April 21: 3-0 win vs. Hancock (7-4)
The Eagles led 1-0 at halftime and went on to push their record to 9-0 for the first time since 2003. Brentwood: Abby Harper, 2 goals; Kate Gilmore, 1 goal, 1 assist; Madelyn Dorenbusch, 1 assist; Meghan Haug, 1 assist; winning GK Rachel Walthall, 6 saves. Hancock: losing GK Lillian Vaught, 9 saves.

Torri Brotherton puts the ball back into play against Valley Park.

April 19: 6-0 win vs. Valley Park
BHS led 5-0 at halftime. Brentwood: Kate Gilmore, 3 goals; Abby Harper, 1 goal, 1 assist; Amanda Ingersoll, 1 goal, 2 assists; Gabby Gombas, 1 assist; Maggie Callihan, 1 assist; winning GK Rachel Walthall, 2 saves. Valley Park: losing GK Alyssa Haines, 12 saves.

Gabby Gombas (left) works against Lexie Waldman.

South Central AA Conference
2016 standings as of 4/26
Brentwood 5-0
Crossroads 2-1
Hancock 2-3
Bayless 1-3
Valley Park 1-5

Aileen Frazier kicks the ball back up to midfield. — Aileen Frazier gets the ball away from Brentwood’s goal.

Brentwood’s Results and Schedule: 9-1
March 24: 4-1 win at Valley Park
March 29: 10-0 win vs. Lift for Life
April 1: 2-1 win vs. Orchard Farm
April 4: 1-0 win at Bayless
April 6: 5-0 win at Metro
April 7: 4-0 win at Gateway STEM
April 12: 3-2 win in OT at Hancock
April 19: 6-0 win vs. Valley Park
April 21: 3-0 win vs. Hancock
April 25: 8-1 loss at O’Fallon Christian
April 26: vs. Crossroads at Midwest Soccer Academy, 4 p.m.
April 28: host Hancock, 6 p.m.
April 29: at McCluer North, 4 p.m.
May 2: host Riverview Gardens, 4:15 p.m.
May 3: host Bayless, 6 p.m.
May 5: at University City, 4 p.m.
May 11: at Hillsboro, 5:30 p.m.
TBA: Class 1 District 2 playoffs vs. Principia, MRH, Valley Park, Cleveland