{"id":40902,"date":"2026-10-07T10:19:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T14:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=40902"},"modified":"2026-10-07T10:19:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T14:19:39","slug":"braves-upset-8-leo-for-second-time-advance-to-semis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/07\/braves-upset-8-leo-for-second-time-advance-to-semis\/","title":{"rendered":"Braves upset #8 Leo for second time, advance to semis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

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

WOODBURN – There’s no doubt that the Bellmont Braves felt a bit disrespected when the final team rankings came out this week for the girls soccer season. While it did come in a shootout, the #9 Bellmont Braves already had a win over #8 Leo back in regular season play. The two teams were drawn together in the very first round of the 2A Woodlan sectional Tuesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That #8 ranking didn’t matter much when Oni Krueckeberg put the Braves ahead in the 80th minute for a stunning and wild victory, sending the Lions home for the season and sending themselves into the semifinals against Bishop Dwenger Wednesday night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Oni Krueckeberg shields Aubrey Koerner from the ball in the second half. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a rivalry that has been fraught with tension for over a decade, the Bellmont Braves met Leo yet again in the postseason, but this time, unlike many previous meetings, the two teams were playing in the opening round of the sectional, not for a regional title. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kylinn Myers, Lanie French and Kaitlyn Barton form a wall as Leo prepares to take a free kick from distance during the second half of Tuesday’s sectional game at Woodlan. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The two teams fought fiercely in the first half with end-to-end play, but neither side was able to break through. It was a stark contrast to the game that had been played in September at Ruoff, when Leo scored early and Bellmont chased the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ashley Bleke wins a tackle against Leo’s Alyssa Jackson during Tuesday’s sectional opener between the Lions and Braves. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It wasn’t until the 60th minute that the scoreline was changed. The Braves were awarded a penalty kick for an infraction in the box and Krueckeberg, cool and collected as always (see gallery below), nailed it, putting the Braves within 20 minutes of a big victory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Less than five minutes later, though, Andie Lorenc took a shot from distance that was struck perfectly, lofting over the head of Marianne Bleke, who kept out the other five shots on target from Leo in the contest. That made the score 1-1 and brought the Lions crowd back into the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Members of the Bellmont football team celebrate a Braves goal during Tuesday’s game at Woodlan, showing support for their classmates. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the clock ticked away, the Braves played with the confidence that, score or not score, they could finish the job, even if it meant going back to penalties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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