REX BREWER
WZBD.com
On Thursday night the Bellmont Braves entered the game just two wins away from a conference championship after beating Leo earlier this month.
With just Columbia City and Dekalb left in their path, that task should be easy right?
Well, after an overtime win the night before, the Lady Eagles were not ready to hand the Braves that title either.
Any loss in these last two games would likely mean a shared title with the Leo Lions.
WZBD’s Rex Brewer had a chance to talk with Bellmont Head coach Steve Lee before the game about the level of success the team has reached in it 13 year stent as the head coach.
With eight minutes gone in the first half, an Arabelle Laurent shot bounced off the crossbar for a near miss, but it was the Lady Eagles that got on the board first when an errant pass on the Bellment end line landed on the foot of Marta Stender inside the six, making for an easy one-touch for the score. It was the first goal given up in conference play for the Braves this season.
Just six minutes later a nice through-ball from Carly Gilbert to Laurent got the Braves on the board as “Belle” was able to slide the ball past the keeper.
The second half started with the score still at 1-1 and stayed that way for most of the half.
With 20 minutes left to play the Braves were on the attack seeing several shots over the bar and two off the post were near misses.
With seven left to play Gilbert pass rolled untouched across the goal mouth. It was the aggressive play from both sides that forced a foul call against Gilbert with 40 seconds left to play in regulation.
This set piece would be the Braves last chance to avoid back-to-back OT games. As Gilbert tee’d the ball up from 30 yds. out, she knew that overtime was not where they wanted to be.
The senior footballer casually smoked a screaming liner just under the bar with :29 to play. The Braves played a half minute of defense and they were a step closer to the NE8 title.
Rex Brewer had a chance to speak with two seniors about their goals after the game.
This team will be part of history, as WZBD will carry the first ever soccer match to hit its airwaves, as the Z-Team will be right back at the Bellmont soccer stadium on Monday when the Braves look for the NE8 crown.
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