With 7:46 left in the first half of her last region game at Bremen High School, senior Bella Fields found the back of the net to put her Blue Devils up 1-0.
To most it seemed like a regular occurrence, but head coach Jason Fields — who also happens to be her father — informed Bella after the game that was her 100th career goal, making her the first soccer player in Bremen history to have both 100 goals and 100 assists in their career.
Bella was quick to acknowledge the support she has gotten from those around her after learning of the individual accomplishment.
“I’m blessed that I have been able to hit this milestone with my team,” Bella said. “This is a special group of girls, and I think we’re going to make it really far, and I think it’s only up from here. I think they’ve really contributed to my success this season and all four years.”
Bremen’s girls team captured its eight-consecutive region title on Wednesday with a 4-0 win over Darlington, and it is safe to say having Coach Fields at the helm has also contributed to both Bella’s and the team’s success.
“Having my dad as my head coach — I think it definitely pushes me to be the best that I can be,” Bella said. “I don’t think I would be where I am without him.”
And the “best that I can be” mindset is rather fitting, given that Bella plans to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point after she graduates this year.
“I think he’s really pushed me to reach that,” Bella said. “I’m very grateful for him to be my coach, and I really think he’s a big factor in where we are right now.”
Jason says that it has been fun coaching his daughter, but there can be some difficult moments.
“It’s stressful sometimes,” Jason said. “There’s a lot of stress that comes with it — a lot of pressure to make sure that you’re treating everybody the same, but it’s been a fun four years watching her play.”
Bella has been a starter on the varsity team for all four years of her high school career, but her role on the team has evolved over those years.
“The first two years, she played center attacking mid, and I just told her to sit back and feed Mary (House) and Danilyn (Sheats),” Jason said. “She ended up with a lot of assists the first couple years and not a lot of goals, but the past couple years, she’s had to be our leading goal scorer. It’s been fun to see her step up in those leadership roles.”
House still holds the Bremen record for total goals in a career with 155, but Bella is one goal away from holding the second-place record at 101.
As for assists, Bella is the clear record holder for the Bremen.
“There’s been nobody who’s gotten close to 100 assists,” Jason said. “I think the old record was 71, and she had 72 by her sophomore year.”
Fields coaches both the girls and boys soccer teams at Bremen, and both will be hosting first-round playoff games after winning Wednesday’s games against Darlington.
