Brandywine’s Morgan Antus, with ball, was pressed into playing goalie for the Bobcats in the Division 3 District semifinals Thursday. Brandywine was defeated by Bridgman 3-1. (Daily Star Photo/KELLY SWEENEY)

The Brandywine girls soccer team lost their district semifinal match-up in a hard fought 3-2 defeat at the hands of visiting Bridgman Thursday.

The game would turn into a tale of two halves that would see the Bees (6-10-2) win the first and the Bobcats (2-13-1) dominate the second.

In the first half, Bridgman forward Tori Palenske placed a ball just past keeper Morgan Antus to put the Bees up 1-0 just 14 minutes into the match.

In the 25th minute of the game, Bobcat forward Margaret Beaver fired a shot past Bridgman goalie Megan Adams to knot the score at one goal apiece.

Bridgman would finish the half getting two goals from Haley Polym in 33rd minute and then another one in the 39th minute from MacKenzie Rathgeb, to take a three one lead into the half.

The Bobcats tried to spark a furious comeback in the second half starting with freshman mid-fielder Brooke Smith’s beautiful chip-shot goal in the 57th minute. However, the comeback would ultimately fall short in the final minute when a Smith cross fell in front of the Bees’ net where Adams made two quick clutch saves to preserve the game for her team.

Though Brandywine coach Evan Winkler was saddened by his teams’ loss he was also very proud of the effort that his girls put forth not just in their final game, but their entire season.

“This was a tough season, we only won two games and we had another tough game today,” he said. “But I have been really proud of how hard our girls worked all year and how hard we played today. I really feel like this was our best game of the season. Our normal goalie Alexandra Wilson was missing today and we had to start Morgan (Antus) in a position she doesn’t normally play. Given the circumstances I thought we played very well today.”

Winkler said he is extremely optimistic about his team’s chances in the coming years.

“We only had five seniors this year and while it’s tough to see them go, we won’t have any returning seniors next year, so we won’t have to lose anyone next year, “ Winkler said. “ We also have about eight or so eighth graders coming up who look pretty talented. So our future is looking pretty bright.”

Bridgman… 3

Brandywine… 2

Halftime score

Bridgman 3, Brandywine 1

First half

BRI – Tori Palenske 14th minute (Lauren Witherow assist)

BW – Margert Beaver 25th minute (Katherine Luczkowski assist)

BRI – Haley Polym 33rd minute (unassisted)

BRI – MacKenzie Rathgeb 39th minute (unassisted)

Second half

BW – Brooke Smith 57th minute (unassisted)

Shots on goal

Bridgman 5

Brandywine 5