As this 2025/2026 school year and prep sports programs get started, we will also begin a new feature, ‘The Game of the Week’, brought to you by Brookings, Les Schwab.
Right out of the gate, we will break the rules, because our initial entry is not just one game, or one week. Our first selection will be the start of season play by head coach Brian Carlson’s girls varsity soccer team, who has not only started well, but has put together a four game undefeated stretch to start league play.
“We have worked a lot on crossing and finishing this season and we have really seen that paying off.”, coach Carlson told the Compass. “Our offense has been very efficient this season, scoring 29 goals with 16 assists through our first 4 games from nine different scorers.”
Coach Carlson has invested in the teams midfield play, which is the first line of Bruin girls defense, as well as offensive support to start the offense. “This season we have been focused on possession, really trying to move the into open spaces to create scoring opportunities, and our center of the field has controlled the middle and allowed to us win the possession battle.”
So far this season, with a lot of experience in our back six, the defense has stood up to all challengers coach Carlson said, which has not allowed a goal in the first four contests to start the season. “Defensively, we have done a great job of turning away our opponent’s attacks, limiting teams to just over one shot a game.”
Between the center midfielder and the two defensive midfielders, the team has demonstrated an outstanding cohesiveness, linking the defense with the offense and including both the left and rights sides of the team. “They have kept us out of pressure and allowed us to find the time and the space that we need to play in to be effective.”
Their focus on possession,using passing to move the into open spaces and create scoring opportunities has helped the team see each player grow and trust in each other, qualities that all teams must have to be competitive. “We’ve been working on playing backwards to go forward, knowing that it takes 11 players doing 11 jobs to be successful and no job is more valuable than another.” coach Carlson said.
“Going forward we’re looking to improve in all aspects of the game, there is always work to be done and this group is pushing themselves to be better in each outing. I know that it’s cliche, but really are just taking it one game at a time, staying focused on the task at hand, knowing that we can’t underestimate that we have been able to get everyone extending playing time, which will make us stronger as the season goes on.”
Congratulations on a great start. Keep up the good work.
