BETHANY — Bethany jumped on Holland Hall early Friday (May 8) and controlled most of a 3-0 shutout of the Dutch to advance to the semifinals of the 4A state tournament.

The Bronchos scored early like they did in Bethany’s 1-0 state finals win over the Dutch last season.

Early in the contest, Holland Hall struggled to get the ball across midfield and the Bronchos controlled the ball.

Sophomore Jozzy Hernandez found junior Camryn Regier, who scored at the 31:20 for the early lead.

Holland Hall put a lot more pressure on Bethany after the score. The Dutch had a scoring opportunity with a free kick just outside the 18 area, but Harper Jones’ shot was blocked by the Bronchos’ line.

Bethany coach Sean Williams knew the Dutch wouldn’t go easily in the finals rematch.

“We knew we’d get some pushback and I thought we had to weather a storm there and play with a little bit of nerves,” Williams said.

Both teams and their fans had to weather a different storm to get the match underway. The match was delayed for an hour and a half due to severe storms that brough wind, heavy rain and hail into the metro area.

“The rain made the turf slick and some of those bouncing balls are just uneasy to deal with,” Williams said. “I thought that created a little bit of stress that normally wouldn’t be the case.”

Regier scored again, this time fed by senior Reese Harris and the Bronchos took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Some of the alignments and sets Bethany expected from Holland Hall started to show in the second half.

“I think we saw a lot of those ideas and playing quickly and having a good combination start.”

Bethany capped off the scoring when Regier connected on a through ball to Hernandez who drilled it into the corner of the net with 29:10 left in the contest.

Williams said Regier has been focusing on finishing scoring plays.

“I thought a couple of her goals were just really good finishes. And then the ball into Jozzie was just all class,” Williams said.

The ballgame was a physical battle and for the most part, officials were letting the players play.

“I’ll always take those girls in a in a physical game because we we can do that.”

He also praised senior Korbyn Baker for her play and being the field “general “on the back line.

“I thought she did a really good job, especially in the second half, leading those young girls and always being in the right spot, always there to clean it up.”

He also praised Harris’ play in the middle of the field.

“All game long, she really put out some fires and allowed us to get out of their pressure in those tight spaces.”

UP NEXT

Bethany (14-3) will travel to Metro Christian (14-1) Tuesday (May 12) at 7 p.m.

The Patriots earned a 2-0 win over Heritage Hall Friday.

The Bronchos won a 1-0 contest over Metro Christian in the Stillwater Cup on March 26.

Both Bethany and Metro Christian were district champs. However, the home team rotates from west to east each year and an even numbered year means a trip to Tulsa for the semifinal match.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

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Holland Hall (9-8)	0	0	0
Bethany (14-3)	2	1	3