In a nail-biting Friday night matchup, the B-CC varsity field hockey team was victorious over Walt Whitman 2-1 in overtime, to win their second consecutive game in the annual “Battle of Bethesda.” Sophomore standout Juliet Kelliher was the hero of the night, scoring both of the Barons’ goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
Both defenses stood firm throughout the match, making goals hard to come by. The slippery conditions on the turf caused by rain throughout the week added to the challenge. Players on both teams struggled to maintain control of the ball.
“The turf was awful, someone easily could have gotten hurt,” said senior Annie Block.
For three quarters, B-CC’s offense was unable to break through Whitman’s solid defense. However, in the fourth quarter, the Barons found a spark. With time winding down, Kelliher capitalized on a defensive lapse by Whitman, slotting the ball into the net to tie the game at 1-1. The late goal sent a bolt of energy through the Barons.
In overtime, both teams battled but it was Kelliher who once again stepped up. In the final minutes of overtime, she fired a close-range shot past the Whitman goalkeeper securing the 2-1 victory for B-CC. Her game-winner was met with a celebration following a storm of the field.
“We played really hard the whole game and didn’t let their early goal get to us. We were able to capitalize and score late because we stayed unified and worked together,” Kelliher said.
The victory marked B-CC field hockey’s second straight win in the “Battle of Bethesda,” a rivalry that the Barons continue to dominate.
