Bellevue goes 1-4 in Auburn

Playing in their first-ever tournament, the Bellevue Wolverines went 1-4 in Auburn. Despite the losing record, the Wolverines walked away from the tournament with their heads held high. Three of their losses were by one goal, including one to a team that had beaten the Wolverines 16-0 in an early season jamboree contest.

Bellevue 2, Auburn-Mountainview 8
In their first game of the tournament, the Wolverines were matched up against tournament co-host Auburn-Mountainview, which entered the tournament undefeated in league-play. Bellevue kept the game close, entering the second period down 3-1. But the Wolverines were unable to keep pace with the faster, stronger Lions, and a 3-0 second quarter spurt put the game out of reach for the Wolverines. Despite the final score of 8-2, the Wolverines gained confidence knowing that it could compete with one of the state’s best teams.

Freshman Maggie Ugelstad and junior Sophie Quynn scored the Wolverines’ only goals. Quynn also added two ejections drawn.

Bellevue 4, Auburn 5
Bellevue’s second game on Friday pitted them against co-host Auburn High School. From the opening sprint, Bellevue wasted no time incorporating defensive lessons learned from its first game. Three steals from freshman Sophie French and junior Sophie Quynn kept Auburn off-balance on the offensive end. The two evenly matched teams matched goal for goal, with the first quarter ending 1-1, the second ending 2-2, the third ending 3-3.

Unfortunately, Bellevue struggled to convert a few golden opportunities late in the game, while Auburn scored two goals in the last two minutes to earn the victory.

Bellevue 5, Stadium 6
Before the opening sprint, many believed that Bellevue vs Stadium would be an easy victory for the Tigers. After all, when the teams first met in the Lakes Jamboree, Stadium dominated the Wolverines 16-0. But in a testament to Bellevue’s amazing improvement, the Wolverines gave the Tigers all they could handle before falling 6-5, their second straight one-goal loss.

The teams traded goals through the first three quarters.  Maggie Ugelstad and Lillie French scored two goals each, while Sophie French added one goal. Sophie Quynn drew three ejections, but the Wolverines failed to capitalize on its man-up advantages, going an abysmal 0-for-7. Like the Auburn game the night before, the Tigers scored a goal in the last two minutes to put them in front, and the Wolverines could not muster an equalizer.

Bellevue 3, Emerald Ridge 4
Playing without leading scorers Lillie and Sophie French, the short-handed Wolverines fought hard but came away with their third straight one goal loss, losing to the Emerald Ridge Jaguars 4-3.

Maggie Ugelstad led the Wolverines with two goals. Senior Claire O’Rourke led the defensive effort, earning four steals while shutting down Emerald Ridge’s two-meter offense. Sierra Anderson notched six saves in the loss.

Bellevue 8, Auburn 5
In the final game of the tournament, the Wolverines faced Auburn in a rematch of last night’s nail-biter   Playing without Lillie and Sophie French, the Wolverines showed how much they had improved in 24-hours by beating Auburn 8-5.

Junior Sophie Pasewark led the Wolverines offense with a career-high three goals. Sophomore Julie Mao added two assists and a game-high three steals. Maggie Ugelstad filled the stat sheet, scoring three goals, earning one ejection and collecting one assist.

Bellevue (4-11) returns to action on Monday evening against Roosevelt.