{"id":38271,"date":"2026-08-18T04:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T08:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=38271"},"modified":"2026-08-18T17:40:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T21:40:42","slug":"chargers-capitalize-on-home-field-advantage-beat-braves-4-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/18\/chargers-capitalize-on-home-field-advantage-beat-braves-4-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Chargers capitalize on home-field advantage, beat Braves 4-1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DANE FUELLING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WZBD.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HUNTERTOWN – A beautiful goal at the outset of Monday’s season opener for the Bellmont Braves was not enough to overcome the class of the Carroll Chargers, who used a late change in venue to capture a 4-1 non-conference victory in a match between two state-ranked teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With the recent weather rendering the Bellmont field unplayable (the boys’ game for Tuesday was also canceled), the administrators at the two schools had no choice but to play the game in Huntertown, meaning a year after falling to Carroll 4-0 on the road, the Braves were forced to get back on the bus and make the trip again in 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dane Fuelling wraps up the broadcast for thee Z-Team.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The venue certainly had an effect on the game, with the tempo increased and Carroll happy to entice the Braves into a running game. With a much deeper bench, the Chargers turned a 1-1 game at halftime into a 4-1 victory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That early goal, though, belonged to the Braves, as junior Kaitlyn Barton intercepted an early pass and went straight to the right side of the box, lofting it over goalie Maizey Geasey’s head for a beautiful chip in the first 30 seconds and a 1-0 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaitlyn Barton opens the season with a goal. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bellmont keeper Mary Bleke was excellent in goal for the Braves. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bellmont looked the better side after the goal and the Braves played with energy, but a string of passes inside the BHS box gave Hailey Diehl the chance for a clean finish from short distance to level the game at 1-1 on ten minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Braves, who will spend the first two weeks of the season trying to figure out who will replace last year’s seniors, did plenty of changing positions in the remaining 30 minutes of the first half, but they did not concede before half time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kylin Myers wade a big impact as a freshman for the Braves and will surely become a regular part of the Braves’ plans going forward. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starting in the back line were senior Alyvia Loshe and freshman Ky Myers. Ella Sovine drew the start up top, adding a different look to a team that featured a familiar midfield and winger pair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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