In the case of the Bedford girls soccer team, the grass is never greener on the other side. That’s why the speedy Bulldogs are trying to keep sod out of the equation.

Following a 1-0 win against Hollis-Brookline on Monday, Oct. 19, Bedford improved to 12-2-0 on the year and put itself in prime position to play the postseason on artificial turf.

“I told them after (the Hollis- Brookline) game that if we win the next two games we don’t have to play on grass again this year,” said head coach Michelle Winning.

“Hopefully we can take that and run with it. When we play on grass we have a disadvantage. When we’re on turf we have a cleaner game.”

Bedford concluded the regular season with a victory against Pelham on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and a game scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, against sub-.500 Laconia.

Wins in both seal home games in the first two rounds before the Bulldogs reach potential semifinal- and finalround games at Exeter High and Southern New Hampshire University – both synthetic surfaces.

The Bedford mentor said opposing teams who normally play on grass have a hard time keeping up with her team on its home surface because of the game’s fast pace.

One Bulldog attacker who has consistently put pressure on opponents is Colleen Murray, who has scored 24 goals and added 10 assists. Bedford can play a variety of styles, winning seven games by three or more goals but also securing five wins by two or fewer tallies.

Casey Levis and Kirsten Jean anchor the defensive backfield for a team that has allowed 13 goals in 14 games, including six shutouts and five one-goal performances.

Because of the new format for league standings – giving greater weight to victories against stronger teams – Class I opponents consistently target the Bulldogs in hopes of climbing the rankings. And Winning said the competition has helped her squad prepare for the postseason.

“All these teams are coming out gunning for us,” said the Bedford mentor. “It’s good to know we can stand up against teams who are coming out and giving their best. It gives us confidence in the sense that we’re seeing teams at (their) best, and we now know we can hold our own come playoff time.”