Bellefontaine’s boys soccer team was dealt a few setbacks Saturday, but was able to pull out a 1-0 win over visiting Benjamin Logan in a Division II sectional semifinal at AcuSport Stadium.
The second-seeded Chiefs (13-4-1) advance to play third-seeded Bellbrook (12-5-1) in the district semifinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Tipp City.
“What a tough game,” said BHS boys head coach Steve Henry. “Coach (Jamie) Hughes really had his team ready to come in here and win. They frustrated us the whole game.
“There was an unfortunate event that caused a red card. That is going to hurt us going forward, but we can’t do anything about that now. I’m proud of the way our boys responded playing with only 10 in the second half, but it was stressful.”
Bellefontaine’s Isaiah Henry scored the only goal of the game at the 12-minute mark of the first half off an assist from Jacob Shell. That put the Chieftains ahead 1-0.
Ben Logan was unable to get its offense going in the second half and Bellefontaine’s defense was able to record the shutout, which tied the school single-season record.
The Raiders were left frustrated after they could take advantage of opportunities they had to get the ball into the goal.
“We probably had about everything we could go in our favor today and we still couldn’t take advantage of it to get a goal,” said Hughes. “What we struggled with all season was our ability to create offense and that wasn’t any different than today.”
The Raiders end their season with a record of 5-8-4.
“We say goodbye to seven outstanding young men who will graduate and they will be dearly missed,” added Hughes. “Their hard work and dedication to the program has been exemplary and seeing them pose for pictures after the game one last time on the field put their careers into perspective. The wins and losses of the past four years will fade but the friendships and memories they have made on and off the field playing this game they love will last forever.”
WL-Salem advances
West Liberty-Salem’s boys soccer team edged visiting Dayton Christian for a 3-1 win Saturday in a Division III sectional semifinal at Tiger Stadium.
The fifth-seeded Tigers (15-2-1) advance to the sectional final on Tuesday at Wayne High School to face third-seeded Bethel (18-2-1) at 7 p.m.
WL-Salem’s Jack Eggleston scored off a corner kick in the first half, but Dayton Christian was able to score to tie the game 1-1 at halftime.
The Tigers were able to pull away in the second half with a pair of goals. Ian Wolfe scored with less than 10 minutes remaining for a 2-1 advantage. Lance Baldwin added another goal with less than five minutes left for a 3-1 lead.
Providing assists for WL-Salem were Gavin Harrison, Mason Powell and Wolfe.
Defensively for WL-Salem, Logan Saylor made 11 saves in goal.