SPEARFISH, S.D. — With 10 seniors gone from last year’s roster and a new head coach leading the program, the Spearfish Spartans knew there would be lessons to learn early this season.
Friday’s opener provided plenty of them—and also showed the fight of a young team unwilling to go away quietly.
Spearfish battled back from an early deficit but ultimately fell 5-3 to the Tea Area Titans at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex in the first match under new Head Coach Brianna Warnemunde.
The Spartans found themselves playing from behind almost immediately when Tea Area struck within the opening minutes. The Titans added another goal with 18:03 remaining in the first half, putting Spearfish in a 2-0 hole.
But the Spartans responded.
Spartans Find Their Answer
Grace Bordewyk helped create Spearfish’s first breakthrough of the afternoon, sending the ball toward Gabrielle Ranek, who finished the opportunity to cut Tea Area’s advantage to 2-1.
The goal gave Spearfish some life, but Tea Area responded by finding the net twice more, stretching its advantage to 4-1.
For a young Spartans team, the growing deficit presented an early-season test.
Spearfish graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad and entered the 2026 season with just four seniors on its current roster. That leaves Warnemunde leading a group that will be asked to grow quickly as the season progresses.
Friday, she saw signs that her players are embracing that challenge.
“I think our young squad—I mean, we only have four seniors this year, so we’ve got quite a young squad,” Warnemunde said. “They’re taking it to ’em, and they’re taking every lesson that they learn from every moment of the game.”
That mentality showed as Spearfish continued attacking despite the deficit.
Bordewyk Helps Spark Comeback Attempt
After helping create the Spartans’ first goal, Bordewyk took over the scoring herself.
She found the back of the net with 23:25 remaining, cutting into Tea Area’s advantage and giving the Spartans another opportunity to work their way back into the match.
Then came another.
With 11:39 left to play, Bordewyk scored again, bringing Spearfish within striking distance and giving the Spartans three goals on the afternoon.
What had once been a three-goal Tea Area advantage suddenly became a competitive match again.
Spearfish continued to battle down the stretch, but the Titans eventually secured the 5-3 victory.
The final score handed the Spartans a season-opening loss, but it also provided Warnemunde’s young roster with exactly the kind of game experience that could prove valuable as the season progresses.
A Young Team With Room to Grow
Replacing 10 seniors was never going to happen overnight.
Friday represented the beginning of that process.
Spearfish showed its youth at times, particularly while trying to slow Tea Area’s attack, but the Spartans also demonstrated an ability to respond. After falling behind early and later facing a 4-1 deficit, they continued to create opportunities rather than allowing the match to get away from them.
Bordewyk played a major role in that response, contributing to all three Spearfish goals with two goals of her own and an assist on Ranek’s score.
For Warnemunde, those moments are part of the bigger picture for a roster learning on the field.
Every possession brings another opportunity. Every mistake brings another lesson. And for a team with only four seniors, each match offers another chance to grow.
The Spartans won’t have to wait long for the next one.
Spearfish returns to the Black Hills Power Sports Complex on Saturday, Aug. 15, for another home matchup against Aberdeen Central.