On a pristine Pacific Northwest day, the Bonney Lake Panthers welcomed the Battle Ground Tigers for their first home match of the season. The timing was perfect: just as the match concluded, the clouds rolled in and the rain began, making the game a picturesque day for high school soccer. Coming into the contest with a 0-1-1 record in non-league play, the Panthers were hungry for their first win. Meanwhile, Battle Ground arrived with a 2-1-1 record, hoping to extend their momentum.
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The match was a defensive chess game from the outset, with both teams pressing and disrupting in the first half. However, Bonney Lake dominated possession, dictating the tempo and keeping the Tigers pinned in their own territory. The Panthers’ backline stood like a fortress, repelling any attempts by Battle Ground to build an attack.
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The breakthrough came in the 26th minute. Center back Brynn Fitch launched a booming clearance from midfield that ricocheted off a Tigers defender, creating a perfect opportunity for forward Jaylee Reynolds. With an instinctual strike, Reynolds buried the ball into the corner of the net, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. That was just the beginning of Reynolds' night.
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As the second half kicked off, Bonney Lake’s relentless pressure continued to wear down Battle Ground. In the 46th minute, Reynolds capitalized on a breakaway run down the right side, blasting the ball past the Tigers' goalkeeper for her second goal of the night, pushing the lead to 2-0. The Panthers' defense, led by the poised play of their backline, kept Battle Ground at bay, never allowing a clear look at goal.
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The Tigers’ frustrations mounted, and by the 55th minute, the Panthers had their third goal. After Reynolds' initial shot was blocked by the Battle Ground goalkeeper, sophomore Madison Campbell seized the moment, slotting home the rebound to put Bonney Lake comfortably ahead, 3-0.
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But the night belonged to Reynolds. In the 67th minute, the senior forward put an exclamation point on the match, scoring her third and final goal of the night with a stunning 30-yard strike, sealing a hat trick and a 4-0 win for the Panthers.
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It was a comprehensive performance from Bonney Lake, as they notched their first victory of the season. The Panthers controlled the match from start to finish, with Reynolds delivering a memorable performance and the defense ensuring the Tigers never had a chance to claw their way back.
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Bonney Lake will look to keep the momentum going when they host White River on Thursday, September 19th, in another non-league showdown.
Last photo credit by www.intensitysportsphotography.com
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