By Michael Letendre 

BRISTOL – The Bristol Eastern girls soccer program put together an excellent defensive game plan against non-conference foe Portland on Tuesday afternoon. 

But it took just one ball to slip through the Lancers’ net to change the outcome of the showdown as the Highlanders were able to defeat the home squad by a 1-0 final from Alumni Field in Bristol. 

Portland remained undefeated at 3-0-2 while Eastern fell to 0-3-1 despite having chances of notching a game-tying goal throughout the match. 

But the Lancers were outshot at the goal 8-1 as attempts were few and far between for the home program. 

The credit belonged to Eastern keeper Hailey Beebe and a stout defensive attack that showed excellent ability in stopping shots at the net. 

Beebe stopped seven of the Highlanders’ eight attempts but the one ball that slipped through was scored midway during the first period by Cristina Austin.

And it was all the offense the visiting aggression needed. 

With 17 minutes remaining in the first half, a close play led to the only score of the encounter for Austin and the squad from Portland.  

“Austin beat a defender on the end line and snuck a nifty shot near post on Bebee for the lone goal,” said Bristol Eastern coach Scott Redman. 

Lillian Carroll saved the one shot Eastern attempted on the Portland goal that afternoon as the keeper is undefeated on the season. 

The Lancers held the Highlanders scoreless the rest of the way – for nearly 57 minutes – but the team never scored over a tough 1-0 decision.

Not Private but [Hartford] Public

On Thursday, Hartford Public invaded the campus of Bristol Eastern in a CCC Interdivisional clash. 

Both programs were looking for their first win of the season but Eastern was the team that came away with the win.

The Owls (0-3) allowed 6.3 goals-per-game to start the campaign and allowed just about the same against Bristol.

The Lancers were 6-0 winners – moving to 1-3-1 after five matches. 

More to follow in the pages of TBE.

Bristol Eastern Girls Soccer – Non-Conference Confrontation  

PORTLAND 1, BRISTOL EASTERN 0  

from Alumni Field, Bristol Eastern 

Scoring                       1 2 – F  

Portland                     1 0 – 1  

Bristol Eastern          0 0 – 0  

Individual Scoring – First Half  

– Cristina Austin (Portland) 

Shots on Goal: Portland 8; Bristol Eastern 1  

Saves: Lillian Carroll (Portland) 1; Hailey Beebe (Bristol Eastern), 7. 

Records: Portland 3-0-2 overall; Bristol Eastern 0-3-1.