DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Once a bitter rivalry with years gone by in the back of the minds of both coaches and players, the match between Bellmont and Canterbury hardly resembled anything near that Saturday, as Oni Krueckeberg scored a whopping five goals to mercy rule the Cavaliers in a contest that was, quite simply, all Bellmont.
The 9-0 drubbing was 5-0 at half and more of the same in the second half. The visitors entered the morning fixture with just one win on the year, but they were coming off a 2-0 loss to Bishop Dwenger. The Canterbury defense had no answer for Kaitlyn Barton or Krueckeberg.
Ashley Bleke got the scoring underway in the 6th minute, scoring on an assist from sophomore Hayden DeBolt. The Braves were awarded a penalty just minutes later that was slotted home by Barton.
The first of Oni’s five goals was scored in the 12th minute and she had her hat trick within fifteen minutes, scoring on assists from Maggie Wilson and Grace Ruble.
Canterbury successfully held off the Braves for the final 15 minutes of the half to keep it at 5-0 going into half time. Mary Bleke did not have a save in the first half.
At 46′ Krueckeberg scored on a slick finish after the ball pinballed around the box. Oni’s first attempt went off the far post and bounced back to her for the goal (see sequence below) and Grace Ruble made it 7-0 on 59′ with a beautiful crossover and curling finish to the far post with her right foot.
The Braves continued to possess after Mary Bleke made her only save of the game and Kaitlyn Barton made it 8-0 at 65′.
The contest mercifully came to an end on 73′ when Maggie Wilson dribbled down the right side, sending a cross to Oni Krueckeberg at the near post. The Braves’ leading goalscorer calmly chested the ball to control it, then headed it in past the keeper for a moment of pure skill and a walk-off goal.
The Braves are now 4-6-1 on the year ahead of their clash at Ruoff Mortgage Field Monday against Leo. That game, along with the boys game that will follow, can be heard live on WZBD at 6 p.m.
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