Bluck tallies 21 saves, but Generals fall

WEST LAFAYETTE — Ridgewood girls soccer coach Judd Bone entered the week thinking that with three games, this could be the time that gives them confidence going forward.

All three games were winnable, he said.

But, Tuesday against Licking Valley the Generals couldn’t put the pieces together and lost 6-0.

“I was thinking tonight would be the night that Ridgewood would get back into a winning soccer game,” Bone said. “It just didn’t happen for us unfortunately .... Tonight it was just one of those things where I don’t know if we were ready to play.”

The Panthers scored five minutes into the game and never looked back, tallying three goals in each half.

But, it wasn’t all bad for the banged up Generals. Because of injuries to players coming into the game and during the game, Bone was forced to move girls to different positions. He liked what he saw from those players.

“They were in positions they weren’t comfortable with, but they semmed to settle in with what they needed to do and they were fine,” Bone said. “Once we discussed and relayed messages across the field we were fine.”

In the second half, the Generals moved the ball better, getting a few opportunities in the Panthers’ third of the field. The Generals just couldn’t put it together enough to put a ball in the back of the net.

“That was promising,” Bone said. “We need to work on our attack obviously, but more important we need the people up front to recognize when and where they need to be.”

While the Generals did move forward better in the second half, they spent the majority of the game on the defensive end.

They allowed 35 shots, but sophomore goal keeper Karrie Bluck kept as many shots out as she could, tallying 21 saves in the game.

“If Karrie’s confidence level matched her playing level she could be one of the best goal keepers in the area,” Bone said. “She is young and just unsure at times, but she handles the pressure well and gets better every day. I have a lot of confidence in her.”

When the ball did leave Bluck’s foot on a punt, there were bright spots in the middle of the field, freshman Rachel Simpson one of them.

“If she plays to her ability she will be just fine,” Bone said. “It’s finding a way to get that out of her, so she can see she is a recognizable force on the field once she makes her mind up to be.”

Tuesday’s loss hasn’t changed Bone’s mind on if the last two games are winnable for his team.

“We have to stick to our game plan. If we can do that, then we are going to continue to make some progress,” Bone said. “I still think we have a good shot to win both games.”

They will travel to Harrison Central on Thursday.

cteagurob@gannett.com

740-295-3442

Twitter: @cj_teague