The Beachwood Girls Soccer team spent much of Friday’s season opener knocking on the door.
One early opportunity was all the Bison needed.
Victoria Price scored in the eighth minute off an assist from Julia Bravo, and Beachwood’s defense made the goal stand in a 1-0 victory over rival Orange to open the 2026 girls soccer season.
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Price gives Beachwood an early spark
Beachwood wasted little time establishing control, and Price rewarded the Bison’s strong start with the game’s only goal.
Bravo set up Price for the eighth-minute strike, giving Beachwood an early advantage and allowing the Bison to play from in front.
“The girls showed tremendous determination throughout the game, especially when fatigue started to set in,” Beachwood coach Regina Ploplis said. “Our goal in the eighth minute gave the girls momentum, and we were able to create several opportunities in the first half.”
Those opportunities continued throughout the game.
Beachwood finished with a 22-5 advantage in shots and put 13 attempts on goal compared with just three for Orange. The Bison also held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Bison keep applying pressure
Despite controlling much of the action, Beachwood couldn’t find the insurance goal.
Orange’s goalkeeper kept the Lions within striking distance by making 11 saves, forcing Beachwood to maintain its composure as chance after chance went unfinished.
Rather than allowing those missed opportunities to become a distraction, the Bison continued attacking.
“We had several chances to score, but instead of letting that frustration affect our effort, we continued to fight, create chances, and stay focused on what we could control,” Ploplis said.
That persistence was particularly important with only one goal separating the teams.
Defense protects the clean sheet
While Beachwood’s attack generated plenty of opportunities, its defense made sure Price’s goal was enough.
Orange managed only five shots and put three on target. Beachwood’s goalkeeper stopped all three to complete the shutout.
Ploplis credited the effort in front of the goalkeeper for limiting Orange’s chances.
“Additionally, our defense worked collectively to lead our goalkeeper to a clean sheet,” she said.
That defensive performance allowed Beachwood to survive a game in which its statistical dominance didn’t translate into a larger margin on the scoreboard.
Rivalry win provides early confidence
For Beachwood, the victory carried additional significance.
It wasn’t simply the first win of a new season. It came against a rival and provided the Bison with an immediate reward for their work entering the year.
“We were excited to begin the season with a win,” Ploplis said. “It gives us positive momentum and sets a strong tone for the season ahead.”
Ploplis believes winning a tight game in the opener can also provide a valuable early confidence boost.
“This was a huge win for us, especially because it was a rivalry game and the first game of the season,” she said. “Starting the season with a win like this gave the girls a lot of confidence and showed them what they’re capable of. It set a positive tone for the rest of the season and gave us something to build on moving forward.”
With one goal, a clean sheet, and a dominant advantage in scoring opportunities, the Bison couldn’t have asked for a much better way to get started.
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Girls Soccer Match Result
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
 Orange Lions | 0 |
 Beachwood Bison | 1 |
Game Notes
Updated automatically through this result and the latest reported player stats.
