The Cardinals girls soccer team bounced back with a 5-1 win over Barstow at home Tuesday night.

The Cardinals won their first two games of the season before falling in the next pair against two tough opponents. On Tuesday, the Cardinals took down Barstow to get back in the win column and move their record to 3-2.

After a tough first 40 minutes, the Cardinals came alive in the second half to secure the win. Head coach Darren Erpleding said the team was losing control of the midfield, stifling its ability to go on attack.

“Once they started staying more central, that was the biggest thing we needed to change,” Erpleding said. “Once they made those changes, we did fine. Things started coming together.”

Sophomore Payton Chappelle highlighted the win with a free-kick goal.

“I actually thought it was gonna go over, but when I saw that it went in, it was so exciting,” Chappelle said. “Everyone just gets so happy.”

Sophomore Kambrea Kerr used the wind to bend in a corner kick for an impressive goal. Freshman Kylie Bourne added a goal as well.

“It means a lot,” she said. “It makes me think, like, I accomplished something really big and it just made me feel really happy.”

The Cardinals will look to secure some road wins in their next two matchups before returning home to play Bonner Springs on April 15.

Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]