Things are finally starting to turn around for the Brandon varsity girls soccer program.
In their most recent contest May 23 against visiting Lapeer West, the Blackhawks earned a 2-0 shutout victory, their fourth straight victory.
Amanda Loeffler scored the first Brandon goal, on an assist from Kylie Knight. Jacqueline Back followed up with the second Brandon goal on an assist from Loeffler. Elizabeth Kennedy earned the shutout in goal for Brandon.
Brandon is now 5-10-1 overall and 4-7-0 in Flint Metro League play.
Coach Greg Back said Brandon’s recent turnaround is a result of improved health on the Blackhawks? part, as well as the team meshing as a unit.
‘We finally started getting a majority of our players healthy,? he said. ‘They’re getting used to each other, and we’re finally coming into our own.?
On May 20, the Blackhawks earned a tough 1-0 win against Bloomfield Hills Andover. Back scored the lone Brandon goal on an assist from Mikki Nuccio, while Kennedy again earned the shutout in goal.
Brandon earned a hard-fought league victory May 18 at Holly, as the Blackhawks earned a 2-1 win against the Bronchos.
Back scored the Blackhawks? first goal on an assist from Loeffler. After Holly tied the game at one, Janet Soave scored the game-winner with about 2-1/2 minutes left in the game, on an assist from Back.
On May 16 at Oxford, Back and Lauren Dixon proved to be a productive tandem in the Blackhawks? 3-2 win against the Wildcats.
Back scored Brandon’s first goal of the game on an assist from Dixon; Dixon then scored their second goal of the game on an assist from Back; and Back then scored the Blackhawks? third goal of the game on an assist from Dixon.
The Blackhawks start regional action May 31 at Holly as Brandon takes on a familiar foe in the Bronchos.
‘We hope to play as well against Holly as we did the last time we beat them (May 18),? Greg Back said.
Other teams in Brandon’s district include defending district champion Stoney Creek, Rochester Adams, Oxford, Fenton and Linden.
Back said he hopes the Blackhawks will have a chance to test their mettle against Stoney Creek in districts.
‘We’d like to compete against them, and at least put up a battle to see how we stack up,? he said.