South Adams hosted the annual girls’ soccer scrimmage Saturday on the turf of the football field, with the state-ranked Bellmont Braves scoring four times in the final two segments as a tune-up for a brutal couple of weeks to open the regular season.
Bellmont senior Lilly Alberding attempts a header against South Adams Saturday. The shot got past SA goalie Liza Fonte (left), but went off the crossbar. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)
The Braves played their junior varsity squad in the opening 25 minutes and they were an even match for the home team, who listed just 13 players on the overall roster. Starfire goalkeeper Liza Fonte held the Braves JVs scoreless in that time period as the two teams had a good back and forth.
Long-time assistant coach Rich Skaggs talks to his JV players after they held the varsity Starfires scoreless in the opening 25 minutes Saturday. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)
The second period saw the Braves switch gears, putting forth their top lineup. A pair of goals by Oni Krueckeberg, along with tallies from Ashley Bleke and Kaitlyn Barton gave the team confidence heading into the season opener Wednesday at Homestead.
Kaitlyn Barton controls the ball in the middle of the field in the second period of Saturday’s scrimmage. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)
The much-touted freshman class of last year is now an experienced set of sophomores – and they backed that up with all four goals against the Starfires.
Lydia Bauman settles the ball inside her own box to deny a Bellmont scoring chance. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)
Wednesday’s regular season opener can be heard live on WZBD, 92.7 FM from Homestead High School.
South Adams head coach Armin Nosic has a strong group of sophomores heading into this season, but with just 12 outfield players and one goalie, he will have to manage minutes and injuries as the season rolls along. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)
The Starfires will host Bishop Luers in their season opener Tuesday.
Dane Fuelling has been passionate about high school sports since childhood. Coming to WZBD via his previous position as sports editor at the Decatur Daily Democrat, Dane is highly involved in high school wrestling with the IHSWCA and is a past winner of the organization's Distinguished Media Award.
