Just two days after beating Canterbury, the Bellmont Braves scored an even bigger victory Monday, avenging last year’s loss in the Regional finals by beating the Leo Lions on a Lilly Alberding goal, pushing the team to the top of the conference standings.
The deciding goal came from a set piece, with Carly Gilbert moving up from her center back position to take the kick after a Leo handball from 25 yards out. The senior’s attempt was too hot for the goalie to handle and Alberding was crashing, smashing it into the back of the net for the game’s only score.
That left 30 minutes on the clock for the Braves to defend.
“I am so proud of the team for this win, but I am more proud in their ability to believe in the game plan,” said head coach Steve Lee, who did not have the luxury of choosing where to play Gilbert in last year’s regional game at Norwell because of her injury. The senior, who scored her 77th career goal Saturday, was the anchor of the back line Monday night at center back. “These players do what is best for the team in any way they can. Carly has put personal goals aside and she was a complete center back tonight.”
The Braves hung around, waiting for their chance to come in the second half. Their only real opportunity in the opening 40 minutes came on a long free kick, with Gilbert taking a shot at goal to beat the Leo keeper, but the shot was just wide.
Gilbert was paired with Bri Converset in the center of the defense, with Adi Knipstein and Jessah Kohrman on the outside. The combination of Gwen Laurent and Leila Jin was also a key to stopping the top-ranked Leo attack.
The coach could not find enough positive words to describe the growth of Alberding this season.
“That’s her third game in a row scoring for us.”
Taylor Louis made seven saves to keep a clean sheet, including a spectacular hockey kick save to stop a one-on-one opportunity by Leo with 22 minutes left.
The final horn on the Leo football field sounded with the Bellmont crowd chanting “We are Bellmont!” The team and the fans knew how big of a win it was.
The team still has plenty of work to do to secure a 7-0 record in the NE8 and an outright conference title. Lee identified Columbia City as a major challenge. The Braves were scheduled to play CC earlier in the year but it was rescheduled due to extreme heat.
“DeKalb and East Noble always have a good game plan,” said Lee. “The target on our back is pretty large.”
As for a potential rematch with Leo later in the postseason, Lee shut down any speculation.
“We have to get by Norwell first, simple as that,” he said of the Braves’ most likely challenger at the sectional in October.
The team’s focus on execution and having the right game plan drew a final comment from coach Lee.
“I have three great captains,” he said. “These girls are students of the game. Each one of them will make a good coach some day.”
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