Another game, another shutout for the Brainerd Warriors.
The Warriors only allowed one shot on goal as they defeated the St. Cloud Tech Tigers 6-0 Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Adamson Field.
Brainerd’s win also marked its 35th straight Central Lakes Conference victory, a streak that goes back to 2016.
“The biggest thing we worked on Monday of this week was being calm under pressure,” Warriors head coach Grant Gmeinder said. “I thought our girls did today for many stretches.”
The Warriors got on the board quickly when sophomore Cally Robetson’s corner kick was mistakenly headed in by a Tiger player less than five minutes into the game.
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At the 26:30 mark, Kayla Bush shot a free kick from 40 yards out. She was looking to set up a teammate for a goal, but found the back of the net herself.
“Fortunate to get that two-goal lead, with the own goal and what not, but glad we kept our calm the whole game,” Gmeinder said. “I don’t think she was shooting to be honest, but she put the ball exactly where we wanted it.”
The goal surprised Bush because she wasn’t aiming to score.
“I was trying to put it to the back post to have one of the midfielders or forwards head it in,” Bush said. “But it just kind of went in. I was very surprised. I didn’t think it was going to go in and it didn’t go where I wanted it to go. I’ll take it though, a goal is a goal.”
Right before half, Avery LeMieur scored off an assist from Lexi McElfresh to make it 3-0.
Robertson scored a goal and recorded an assist in the second half for Brainerd.
“It’s been hard to adjust to playing with varsity, but I’ve finally been playing well,” Robertson said. “When they passed it back to me I took a touch forward and the goal was just open, so might as well take a shot.”
Robertson also helps anchor the defense that celebrated its sixth straight shutout of the season.
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“I think we have been really good at switching the field,” Robertson said. “And we have been communicating really well.”
Robertson’s assist came on another corner and sophomore Paige Yeager scored to make it 5-0.
Mari Devine added a PK with 5:23 remaining to give Brainerd its sixth goal.
Gmeinder continued to shower Brainerd’s defense with praise. Goalkeeper Gracelyn Dickinson notched one save.
“They were so good again,” Gmeinder said. “They are so athletic and so good with their feet. They are so good at winning the ball from the air. So impressed with that group.”
Brainerd’s depth was shown off as well with five different Warriors scoring.
“We love to see it,” Gmeinder said. “It puts the pressure off of everyone. You think of our forwards and they don’t have to score because we see these games where a young girl like Paige Yeager comes in and scores. Cally Robertson scores from defense and it just takes the pressure off to where we can play our game and make the simple play.”
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Tech 0 0 — 0
Brainerd 3 3 — 6
First half: Brd-own goal 36:52, Brd-Kayla Bush 26:30, Brd-Avery LeMieur (Lexi McElfresh) 3:28
Second half: Brd-Cally Robertson (Taylor Larson) 25:09, Brd-Paige Yeager (Cally Robertson) 14:04, Brd-Mari Devine PK 5:23
Shots on goal: Brd 13, SCT 1
Goalkeepers: Brd-Gracelyn Dickinson (1 save); SCT-Abby Wright (7 saves)
Warriors 6, St. Cloud Tech 0
Key: Warriors continue dominate ways in a six-goal shutout
Conference: Brd 6-0, SCT 0-4-1.
Overall: Brd 6-0, SCT 0-4-1.
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Next: at Willmar 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17.
CONRAD ENGSTROM may be reached at 218-855-5861 or conrad.engstrom@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/the_rad34.
