That shoot-first mentality carried the Bears to success in a season-opening victory over the Trojans on Senior Night under the lights at the Frewsburg football field.

“We’ve been waiting a long time. We were super excited to get out here and play,” Frewsburg head coach Scott Stone said. “You could see everybody was a little jittery and all over the place to start, but once we settled in it was a really good game.”

Sophomore Alex Hultberg scored twice while junior Kendal Sohl and sophomore Ashlyn Samuelson each chipped in a goal as Frewsburg, the defending Section VI Class C champion, defeated Southwestern, 4-2.

“I thought it was fun. … They are reigning Class C champs. … They get the first one, but it’s a nice little rivalry,” Houser said postgame. “Two teams that have big aspirations pushing each other early is always a good thing.”

Southwestern’s Allison Lundmark keeps her balance as she dribbles away from Frewsburg’s Nora Edwards during Saturday night’s nonleague girls soccer game in Frewsburg.
P-J photo by Matt Spielman

The Bears came out flying to the ball in the first half, but the Trojans weathered the storm for a while.

“I think it took us a little time getting the offense and defense in rhythm together,” Houser said.

With 17:32 remaining in the half, just minutes after Southwestern freshman keeper Reece Beaver made a diving save to keep the game scoreless, Samuelson broke through for Frewsburg.

After taking a pass from junior Makenna McBride wide outside of the 18-yard box, Samuelson unleased a shot that found its way into the far corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The Trojans’ best first-half opportunity came with 8:30 showing on the clock, but Bears senior keeper Madison Voty deflected a free kick over the goal to keep her shutout intact.

After halftime, both teams began to take advantage of their offensive opportunities.

First, Sohl took a pass from junior Peyton Yost and streaked down the sideline. As she neared the corner of the pitch, from a nearly impossible angle, she struck a shot into the far top corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead just under six minutes into the half.

“We have multiple players who can score from anywhere. Last year, we didn’t do a good enough job with that,” Stone said. ” … We know we can score from anywhere. Tonight, three out of the four were from outside the 18. If we shoot like that, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Southwestern got on the board less than eight minutes later. A free kick glanced off the crossbar and the rebound eventually found the foot of junior Brynne Conley, who deposited the ball into the net to cut the Trojans’ deficit to one. Junior Melissa DeVore was credited with the assist on the play.

“There was a stretch where they started to get a little energy,” Stone said. “They scored off a free kick. We can’t give up fouls. Our defense is too good to give up free shots.”

But Frewsburg made sure to push its lead back to two less than seven minutes later as Hultberg took a pass from sophomore Jacey Cappa, streaked down the right side of the field and then shot across the grain with her right foot just inside the far post to make it 3-1.

“When she gets running down hill, she has another level that she turns it into,” Stone said. “We have a lot of speed up top. … Team speed is definitely an advantage for us this year.”

“Getting down two against a team like that is tough,” Houser said. ” … They had answers every time we tried to get right back in it.”

Just over six minutes later, a Bears’ misplay in the 18-yard box ended up on the foot of Southwestern freshman Sophia Segrue, who chipped a shot past Voty to make it a 3-2 game.

But again, the Bears didn’t rest on their one-goal lead. This time, they were awarded a corner kick with less than 11 minutes to play. Hultberg and Sohl decided to play a short corner and left unchecked, Hultberg again found the top corner of the goal, this time with her left foot, to make it a 4-1 game.

“We put in a real base (defense) for corners, just trying to get everything else up to speed,” Houser said. “Kudos to them, that was a big spot and a big goal.”

Frewsburg’s defense stood tall from there, led by Yost and fellow junior Reagan Chitester. After two seniors graduated last year, the Bears have added Cappa and junior Rachael Kerhli to the defensive mix. Sophomore Lizzie Schrecengost also subbed in and provided valuable minutes.

“We feel very confident with our defense,” Stone said. “Lizzie came off the bench … and played a great game. We just have a healthy rotation back there. If we do what we’re supposed to do defensively, we should be alright.”

And when Voty was forced to stand tall, she did. Despite the Bears posting double-digit shutouts a season ago, Voty may have never had a more impactful game than she did Friday night with a career-high 15 saves.

“We’re not happy with the two goals, but we’ll button that up,” Stone said. ” … Madison had a career high on Senior Night. I’m very proud of her.”

Beaver, attempting to fill the big shoes of a graduating Hanna Johnson at the other end of the field, was equally impressive with 14 saves in her first varsity start.

“She was amazing. People will see the four goals, but you have to understand this is a three-week process. She wasn’t in net until we started. She is somebody I reached out to and she won over her teammates,” Houser said of Beaver. “That’s a big first match. In the last nine or 10 years, I’ve had three goalies. I haven’t really had to worry about it. Four goals looks bad, but the story couldn’t be different.”