Bixby Girls Soccer Update: Apr 2022

Bixby Girls Soccer

APRIL 15, 2022

2022 recap newsletter

Spartans

Upcoming Events

LETTER FROM THE COACH Brittany Scrapper

Friday April 15th JV 3:30 JV Red 4:30 Varsity 6:00 vs Broken Arrow @ Spartan Stadium #REDOUT wear red!

We’re off to a great start. I’m proud of the girls and I’m excited about where we’re headed. Our season kicked off with tough competition as we faced a State Champion, 2 State Runner-Ups, and an arch-rival in our first 4 matches. Edmond North was our lone preseason match as the others were cancelled due to snow and ice. They were State Runner-Up last year. We won 3-0. We then prevailed in PK’s versus Arkansas’ State Finalist, Bentonville West, who were a great test for us. Our only loss (3-2) has been to Jenks. While a “revenge” match for them, we were able to take

Monday April 18th JV 4:30 JV Red 6:00 vs Union JV @ Bixby

what we learned and beat Arkansas’ State Champion, Fayetteville, 3-1 on the road. By the way, Fayetteville had not been beaten in three years. It could be said that we have been on a bit of a “roll”. We logged W’s over Sand Springs, Union, Bartlesville, Booker T Washington, and Ponca City. We also traveled to Alabama and competed in the Southern Coast Cup. Since our only loss to Jenks, we have won 9 consecutive matches and have outscored our opponents 48-3. Our JV girls have also been playing some great soccer! They are 8-3 on the season, they have outscored their opponents 34-7. They took 2nd place in the Hilldale Varsity tournament.

This Friday night at 6:00, we host Broken Arrow. We very much appreciate the support of our families, school, and fans!!

Tuesday April 19th JV 4:30 Varsity 6:00 vs Muskogee @ Spartan Stadium Senior night!!!

APRIL 15, 2022

Bixby Girls Making History

Last year, the Bixby Spartan Varsity Girls won their first 6A playoff game in school history by defeating the Jenks Trojans. Despite going down 2-0, they fought back, scored 5 unanswered goals, and defeated Jenks 5-2. With that win alone, the season was a milestone. However, they weren’t done. In the Quarterfinal, they faced the Broken Arrow Tigers. And, once again, despite going down initially, they overcame and won 3-2 advancing to the Semifinal round. Although they fought well, they lost 2-1 to the eventual State Champions, Norman North. They made headlines and local news broadcasts. Fans packed Spartan Stadium. Under Armor called. Spartan players have been seen on giant Under Armor cutouts in stores all around the country as they were featured in a national ad campaign. Granted, it was a great year – an unprecedented, milestone year. However, “one hit wonders” and “flash in the pans” are commonplace. So, entering 2022, questions loomed: What’s next? What would be the next milestone? What about Union? No Bixby Varsity girls soccer team had ever beaten Union…until this year. Friday night, March 25 th at a packed Union venue, that wall came down. Union scored first. But, by now, we know what happens if the Spartans go down. Andra Mohler served an impeccable ball to Jordan Frederick who headed the ball into the back of the net at speed – a simply brilliant finish. That combination play/service/finish was “Goal of the Year” worthy.

In the second half, Union was awarded a direct kick just outside the 18. Union’s Makenzie Malham (2021 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year) hit the perfect shot to make it 2-1, Union. The game was very physical but as it wore on, it became evident that the Spartans had a clear fitness advantage and began to dominate Union. Andra Mohler and Jordan Frederick switched roles on the second Spartan goal as Jordan sent a penetrating ball over the top to Andra who outran the defense and finished the tying goal. Union hung on at the end and managed to escape with the tie. Penalty kicks ensued and that played into what are becoming signature Spartan strengths: confidence and poise. Andra scored first, then Jordan, followed by Ella Hall, and Annabella Trotter. Goalkeeper Gentry Kirk had a save and wanted to step up and take the final shot. Coach Scrapper agreed. Gentry Kirk buried it. PK total: Bixby 5 – Union 4. Why the drastic change in the last 2 years? No doubt, the Spartans have talent. Jordan Frederick has a scholarship to play at The University of Tulsa. Andra Mohler has one to play at Kansas State. A new culture is forming. As previously noted, confidence and poise are significant factors. They have a mentality, “Fire in the belly; Ice in the head”. So, they play with maximum effort, intensity, fury, fire – with cool heads. They rarely, if ever, retaliate when fouled. They do fight back, but in the context of play, not by fouling, thus drawing whistles and cards. The “ice” extends to how they interact on the pitch. They believe in each other and practice being positive. As a result, they don’t get down. They keep fighting. Preparation and fitness are other key aspects that are clearly visible at this point. Also, their ability to make on-the-field adjustments have proven critical. Without getting into tactics, Coach Scrapper believes that all these factors culminate in a winning culture that, if continued, will establish a tradition. So do her players.

Next milestone? 2 left: State Final and the Championship.

Bixbeyr

Socc

The Spartan Girls Varsity soccer team traveled to Foley, Alabama to compete in the Southern Coast Cup which took place March 31 – April 2. The Spartans played 2 private schools from Mobile, AL and one from Prattville, AL. They won all three matches by scores of 1-0, 8-0, and 10-0. Andra Mohler, Jordan Frederick, Grace Locke, and Kaylynn Gee were named AllTournament players. Incidentally, the games do count as regular season nondistrict games. So, it definitely boosted our win and goal differential totals.

The girls had a great time, and it was a beneficial team building event. Many thanks and kudos to our wonderful parents, some of whom went on the trip, and our amazing Booster Club members. Without you, it would not have happened. Lastly, a shout out to the girls who not only played great but got along incredibly well given all those hours on the road!

April 15, 2022

Each month we put a focus on one of these words. We talk about what that word means to us and what does it look like in action. We have gone over leadership and effort. The April focus word is attitude.

P.G.T stands for Personal Growth Tuesdays.

We meet and have breakfast or lunch together as a group. We watch videos and discuss how we can help each other and grow as people.

Person > Player is what we are about.