With the Bellmont Braves dominating this year’s NE8 with a 7-0 record, taking the conference crown from the Leo Lions, it was no surprise Tuesday that the all-conference first team would be dominated by coach Lee’s squad.
Six of the eleven players in the Braves’ starting lineup were given first-team status, reflecting the team’s performance all season long.
Carly Gilbert, with her 88 career goals, was the most intimidating player in the conference this season and she could have been a first-team selection at midfield or defense if coach Lee would have wanted her there, but she was one of four forwards given top honors by conference coaches.
Joining Gilbert were two other prolific senior scorers in Addison Baxter of Columbia City and Leo’s Ella Graves. Graves shares the team lead for the Lions of 13 goals with Taylor Swygart, who was named second-team as a forward.
Norwell’s sophomore phenom, Grace Mann, was the fourth forward named to the top team. Mann finished the 2023 season with 22 goals in just 11 matches. She was the only player on the first team that was not from Bellmont, Leo or Columbia City.
In the midfield, Bellmont’s two possession bullies, seniors Emma Scheumann and Arabelle Laurent, were both rightfully named to the first team. Laurent has seven goals and six assists so far this year and is the heartbeat of the Bellmont attack in the middle. Scheumann has become more of a midfielder after playing in the back earlier in her career. She has scored twice and accounts for seven assists for Bellmont this season.
The Braves also had two sophomore defenders named to the first team, with Bri Converset and Adi Knipstein rewarded for their standout seasons. Bellmont allowed just one solitary goal across 575+ minutes of conference play.
That strong defensive record was also the result of great goalkeeping by senior keeper Taylor Louis, who was joined by Leo’s Sam Christle as the two first-team goalies. Christle and Louis could square off again Saturday in a rematch of last year’s regional finals if both schools win on Thursday.
Other honors announced were:
Bellmont
Lilly Alberding-2nd-Team Forward
Jessah Kohrman-2nd-Team Defender
Anna Ruble-Honorable Mention Forward
Gwen Laurent-Honorable Mention Midfielder
Norwell
Lillian Norris-2nd-Team Defender
Gracie Rinkenberger-2nd-Team Goalkeeper
Makenzie Fuess-Honorable Mention Forward
Elise Boomershine-Honorable Mention Defender
About the Author
