The Bemidji High School girls soccer team delivered an impressive performance on October 5, 2023, defeating East Grand Forks 4-0 in a match that showcased their offensive prowess. Izzy Renn emerged as a standout player, scoring two goals and assisting on another, as the Lumberjacks dominated their rivals under the lights at Chet Anderson Stadium.
From the onset, Bemidji took control of the game. Just two minutes in, they capitalized on a defensive error by East Grand Forks, with Renn stealing the ball and executing a flawless assist to Stella Schoonover, who fired a shot into the right corner of the net. This quick strike set the tone for the match, as head coach Logan Larsen remarked, “It’s a confidence builder. We talk a lot about the next five minutes after a goal, and I think we still showed up after that rather than being just overly happy with one goal.”
The Lumberjacks maintained their momentum, creating numerous opportunities throughout the first half. While many of their attempts narrowly missed the target, they finally found success again in the 29th minute. Abby Bokovoy spotted Kayce Christianson near the goal and delivered a precise pass, allowing Christianson to extend the lead to 2-0 with a close-range finish.
Larsen praised the team’s consistent effort compared to previous matches, noting, “We had a big talk at halftime. The energy was there, not quite as directed as we wanted, but at least in terms of comparing to previous games, we had more consistent effort.”
Renn continued to shine in the first half, scoring a goal in the 36th minute following a corner kick from Ella Willford. As the match progressed into the second half, Renn struck again in the 42nd minute, capitalizing on a cross-field pass to score her second goal, lifting Bemidji to a commanding 4-0 lead. This brought her total to five goals in the last five matches, a streak Larsen hopes will boost her confidence.
“What I hope is that she’s really happy with herself because she’s a person that’s very hard on herself,” Larsen said. “Hopefully she’s just taking joy in it because she’s a worker, but you should get rewarded, and I hope she feels rewarded and that she’s just kind of soaking up the glory.”
As the scoreline grew, the Lumberjacks’ defense remained resolute, allowing only one shot on goalkeeper Clara Bieber. This solid defensive effort provided a sense of security for the players, as Rylinn Larson, who stepped up in her third varsity game, noted, “It definitely gave us a lot more excitement going into the game, since the last couple of games have started off pretty slow. Everyone was very happy.”
Larsen commended the defensive unit for their contributions and highlighted their ability to support one another. “I was super impressed with what the defense did. They just all back up each other and everything,” he stated.
The transition from junior varsity to varsity can be challenging, but Larson adjusted well to the faster pace of play, noting, “It’s a lot faster of a play, and definitely the ball is moving a lot faster with the passes. It’s hard at first, but you get used to it.”
The match also marked a change in playing surface for the Lumberjacks, as Chet Anderson Stadium features turf rather than natural grass. Larson acknowledged the adjustment, stating, “The ball’s definitely moving a lot faster. But still, it was very fun.”
The coaching staff was pleased with the performance of junior varsity players who received valuable playing time, including Rylee Story and Hannah Quinn. Larsen appreciated their composure under pressure, remarking, “(Rylinn), Rylee, and Hannah had very good games for jumping into a game with a lot of atmosphere, playing under the lights.”
With this decisive victory, the Bemidji Lumberjacks look to build on their success as they continue their season. The team is eager to maintain their momentum and improve their performance in upcoming matches.
