The Bellmont Braves honored their seniors Monday night in an NE8 contest against last-place New Haven and they did it in style, scoring nine goals and spreading the opportunities around throughout the night. The team got an inspired performance by Lily Ripley and the usual from star Carly Gilbert, with both girls knocking two into the back of the net.
When the final whistle blew, the Braves led 9-0 and six different seniors had scored.
The Braves needed little time to go up 3-0 with their best lineup in against the Bulldogs, who fielded a team of just 13 players for the conference tilt. Lily Ripley scored twice and Gilbert had another before coach Steve Lee changed tactics and gave some other girls a chance to get on the scoresheet.
One of those players who took advantage was goalie Taylor Louis, who scored her first high school goal after coming out of the net and onto the field. She was replaced by Emily Barton, who was not called upon to make a save in her 42 minutes of play.
Also scoring for the Braves were seniors Carly Oetting, Maddy Gardner and Hailey Houser.
Khia Cannon, a junior, was the only goalscorer not from the class of 2024.
The Braves, who remain unbeaten in the NE8, face East Noble and Columbia City later this week.
