Relentless Luers score nine in sectional opener, eliminate host Braves

DANE FUELLING

WZBD.com

DECATUR – The Bishop Luers Knights showed that they were on a mission to right a wrong from last year’s sectional, scoring early and often to put away the Bellmont Braves, scoring the ninth and game-ending goal with less than four minutes to play.

Dane Fuelling wraps up the broadcast with a recap of the scoring in Bishop Luers’ 9-0 victory Tuesday night in the 2A sectional.

The Knights came into last year’s sectional as favorites, eliminating the Braves in their opener, as well, but it was a 1-0 loss to Concordia that went down as one of the bigger upsets in the 2024 tournament locally.

After their 9-0 win Tuesday night at Bellmont, they’ll have a chance at postseason revenge Wednesday night when they play Concordia for a spot in the semifinals.

On the other side of the bracket, the Woodlan Warriors will take on Heritage for a spot to be spoiler to the winner of Luers and the Cadets.

*Bellmont sophomore Malachi LaVine defends against Ryon Stoker Tuesday night in the first half. (Photo by Tara Riehm)*

Few things went right for the Braves, who could not match the passing and the speed of Luers in the midfield. Andres Rodriguez scored in the fifth minute and Ryon Stoker made it 2-0 in the same minute.

*Erick Salinas connects with Andres Rodriguez on a corner kick in the first half of Luers’ 9-0 win over Bellmont. (Photo by Tara Riehm)*

The Braves reorganized and held their ground, but were unable to register even a touch in the Luers box before Rodriguez scored again in the 22nd minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box. Rodriguez’s second tally was quickly followed by a golazo by Tyler Pape from the left side of the box, beating keeper Xavior Palacios to the far post.

*Andres Rodriguez scored his tenth and eleventh goals of the season in the opening 23 minutes of Tuesday’s game at Bellmont. (Photo by Tara Riehm)*

Bellmont responded to the 4-0 deficit with better play in the last fifteen minutes. Henry Faurote’s run down the right side showed off the junior’s speed and his shot to the far post seemed destined for the back of the net, but was just wide of frame.

*Henry Faurote attempts to relieve some Luers pressure with a dribble toward the Knights’ box. (Photo by Tara Riehm)*

Luers, though, had no interest in letting up. Christian Mendez immediately beat the Braves after their halftime keeper switch, going with Parker Frietas as coach Jake Briede sought to provide all of his seniors with playing time. Erick Salinas took a dozen corners in the game for Luers and at 48′, his in-swinging corner from the left side found the head of a Bellmont defender and went in for an own goal.

*Dieder Scheumann makes a run down the left sideline for the Braves. (Photo by Tara Riehm)*

Stoker scored again for Luers on an assist from Diego Mendez in the 64th minute and as coach Briede worked through his bench and tried to provide an opportunity for his seniors to get a send-off to the home crowd, the Knights struck with another Mendoza goal in the 73rd minute.