Bulldogs are all smiles following Rochelle win

By Darryl Mellema

There were plenty of smiles for Batavia players on Monday – and they certainly had much to smile about.

The obvious and most pleasing moment came at the final whistle, when the Bulldogs completed a 3-0 Western Sun Conference victory over a Rochelle team that attacked little, defended throughout and was never really in the contest.

Batavia scored three goals and each was significant in one way or another.

Hillary Cooper got the first, an early goal which calmed the nerves of a team still struggling to turn abundant chances into goals.

Tara Rush scored the second – a long shot into the top portion of the net that showed that shots on goal can pay dividends.

And Liz Barnes capped her longest spell of playing time since recovering from injury with her team's final goal.

The win moves Batavia (4-3-1, 1-0) back above .500 with a Thursday game at Sycamore next on the team's schedule.

The opening goal was a highlight in a game that started 20 minutes early due to a blowout win by Batavia's sophomores. Cooper scored within five minutes, still before the regular starting kickoff time.

"It's a relief because we've been working hard this year," Cooper said. "It's been a little frustrating because we got off to a bit of a slow start. But we're starting to pick it up and figure things out and connect."

Cooper's goal came from a quick move involving a cross from which she finished.

"We've been working a lot on crossing, taking it all the way to the end line and sending it back to the PK spot," Cooper said.

"It's a relief that what we're working on is working in games. We're actually getting the hang of it and doing what we practice."

The Bulldogs dominated most of the match and did not give the Hubs many opportunities while still struggling themselves the rest of the half.

There were chances, however. Barnes headed a Bre Choffin cross over the bar with 15 minutes left and Cooper hit the post after approach work by Barnes and Becky Bartos 13 minutes before halftime.

Cooper had a hard shot saved 10 minutes before the break and as the half neared an end, Abby Gray shot wide.

"We were where we were supposed to be," Batavia coach Jim McAlpin said. "They were feeling good about themselves and they were enjoying it. That was important.

"They had smiles on their faces instead of frowns. We just need to finish a few more."

The second half continued Batavia's dominance. Choffin had a shot blocked and Barnes hit a hard shot from distance over the crossbar.

Rush finally doubled Batavia's lead with 21 minutes to play, shooting from outside the penalty area over the Rochelle keeper's hands and under the crossbar.

"We had three against Bartlett and three again tonight," McAlpin said. "The combinations are coming together. We're not just a one-man show."

Tory Kinnard had a long shot saved and with Batavia finding the shooting range, Barnes scored from a similar position with six minutes to play.

Barnes suffered a serious injury in the girls basketball playoffs. She has been recovering and has slowly played more and more this season. Monday marked her most significant playing time this year.

"It feels good," Barnes said. "The goal today certainly helped. Hopefully I'm proving to my team that I can play with the same amount of time and the same intensity."

Barnes said she assumed the role of bench cheerleader while she was unable to play. But being on the field is definitely preferable. Her injuries included a dislocated kneecap and a partially torn patellar tendon.

"It didn't require surgery," Barnes said. "I just went to physical therapy. They cleared me after about four weeks and said I was in great shape and ready to join my team. I just had to get into game shape."

Monday's game ended a nine-day spell without a game. Batavia was to have played Oswego on Friday but that match was canceled and has yet to be rescheduled.

"It was nice having a break but then we were thinking 'uh oh, we might be out of shape,'" Cooper said.

Fortunately, the Bulldogs never seemed weary, due in part to the non-stop attacking play they produced.

"We've been practicing every day and working hard," Barnes said. "But we're building up every day and getting stronger."

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