Bailey Ryan embodies the term “stepping up.”

The Coon Rapids forward finished her junior year with solid totals in goals and points, but has risen to the top of the Cardinals statsheet in her senior season.

She has scored two or more goals in every game, including Friday in Coon Rapids matchup with rival Champlin Park.

Ryan tallied four goals to help the Cardinals wrap up the Northwest Suburban Conference championship with a thrilling 11-9 victory over the Rebels at Coon Rapids High School.

It’s the first title for the Cardinals since they shared one with Champlin Park and Robbinsdale Armstrong in 2012. 

Ryan, who had  23 goals and 36 points last year, leads the team with 33 goals and has the second-most points with 50.

“(Ryan’s) stepped up as a leader, as a captain, as a senior, and as one of the girls we can count on,” Coon Rapids coach Jeff DeJoy said after Friday’s game. 

“She was my (teacher’s assistant) for two quarters,” DeJoy added. “She’s a wonderful girl.”

Ryan scored her four goals in the first half, sparking the Cardinals (10-1, 10-0) to a 9-4 lead before Champlin Park (8-2, 7-2) stormed back with five second-half goals to narrow the final margin.

Ryan said Coon Rapids was confident it would emerge victorious, even as the Rebels mounted their late-game surge. 

“We definitely knew we were going to get (the win),” Ryan said. “So we stayed confident and stayed supportive of each other.”

That support is fostered by DeJoy, who said that the best way to get instructions across to his team is through affirmation, not degradation. 

“I’ve just found that it’s more successful to be positive,” DeJoy said. 

The Cardinals supporters made themselves heard throughout the game, and Ryan said it was a key factor in the team’s success on its home field this season. Coon Rapids is 5-1 overall and undefeated in conference games at home.

“I think it gets in the other teams’ heads,” Ryan said. 

“Especially goalies,” she added with a grin. 

Junior attack wing Lily Hackett said that the team listens to Ryan because of her positive attitude. 

“She’s crazy; she’s fun” said Hackett, who also scored four goals in the win over the Rebels. “(She’s) one of the best leaders I’ve had.”

And as the seasoned veteran, Ryan has the team following her lead when it comes to what the Cardinals are focused on achieving this year.

“We’re ready to take on the rest of the regular season and go into sections with a good note.”

Senior forward Bailey Ryan and junior forward Lily Hackett scored four goals apiece, helping Coon Rapids clinch the Northwest Suburban Conference championship with a 11-9 victory Friday night over Champlin Park at Coon Rapids High School. 

The Cardinals (10-1, 10-0) broke open a tie game with a 5-0 scoring run midway through the first half, helping them head into halftime with a 9-4 lead.

Coon Rapids then employed a stalling offense for much of the second half to eat away the clock and protect its lead.

Junior forward Kayla Ross, senior forward Heidi Hannula and senior midfielder Allie Erickson each finished with a goal for the Cardinals. 

Sophomore midfielder Sam Nolan led Champlin Park (8-2, 7-2) with six goals, while junior forward Hanna Crymble, sophomore midfielder Tara Dalman and junior forward Demey Everett tallied one goal apiece. 

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