The Becker girls soccer team kicked off the 2021 season with a match at Delano Aug. 27. Unfortunately, the Tigers were the better squad and came out with a 5-1 win over the Bulldogs.

Becker junior Hailey Szabla got the lone goal for the Bulldogs as she beat the Delano goalkeeper on a free kick. Senior Riley Norberg tapped the ball away from the Delano goalkeeper to Szabla after a shot by Kennedy Rusin was mishandled. Szabla used the inside of her right foot to kick the ball behind her left leg, and into the goal. The goal was assisted by Norberg and the Bulldogs were up 1-0 with 13 minutes left in first half.

Delano tied the match at 1-1 with 12 minutes left, then went up 2-1 with 2:39 to go in the first half. The kill shot came with just seven seconds to go in the first half to put the Tigers up 3-1 heading into the final frame.

At the 17:31 mark, Delano expanded the lead to 4-1 with a goal, then finished off the Bulldogs with another late goal — this time with just 19 seconds to play.

Becker senior goalie, Amanda Miner had 19 saves while playing the first half. Junior Rachel Fuller came on the second half and had 14 saves.

“It was a tough game,” said Head Coach Ben Strom. “We didn’t play very well, and had injuries that knocked out three starters–Liz (junior. Liz Mackedanz) got hurt five minutes into the game, and later seniors Amanda (Miner) and Alayna (Moeller). Still, it was our first game, and good to be out there and get our bearings.”