<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=33UtRm_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=33UtRm_0vkXQzii00" width="1280" height="848" ></figure>DANE FUELLINGWZBD.comFreshman Kaitlyn Barton did the legwork. Senior Gwen Laurent finished it with skill. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=433zMv_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=433zMv_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Gwen Laurent scored twice with the help of Kaitlyn Barton (left), who drew fouls ahead of each goal. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>An emotional, drawn-out match with East Noble finished in ecstasy for the Bellmont Braves when Laurent clattered the ball off the woodwork for a remarkable goal with 73 seconds left in the contest, handing the home team a come-from-behind, 2-1 victory. The goal came from a free kick, won outside the box by Barton, who was hauled down trying to knife through the EN defense.The win keeps the Braves unbeaten in the NE8 and clinches at least a share of the conference title, but coach Steve Lee’s team of talented freshman and seasoned veterans really has no interest in sharing this honor. They’ll look to capture the outright title Monday night at DeKalb against the Barons. WZBD will be there Monday night to cover the game live on 92.7 FM. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2rFS70_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2rFS70_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Head coach Steve Lee looks on during the first half with a smile, knowing that his team was capable of recovering from a 1-0 deficit against East Noble. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>“Soccer is a crazy game,” admitted coach Lee after the game of how this one went down. It started with East Noble getting on the board first, scoring the first goal against Bellmont this season in the NE8. The tally came against the run of play, but showed how dangerous the Knights’ attack was against the Braves’ game of possession. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4FGCXX_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4FGCXX_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Emily Barton has allowed just one goal in six NE8 matches this season. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>The Braves equalized with ten minutes left in the second half when Barton was taken down in the box near the end line and the official awarded a penalty from the spot. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=350c3w_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=350c3w_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Kaitlyn Barton added an element of speed and skill in Wednesday’s game against East Noble, cutting through the back line and drawing contact. The freshman was fouled ahead of both BHS goals. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>Showing several moments of leadership in the minutes after the Braves fell behind for the first time this NE8 season, Gwen Laurent calmly jogged forward to take the ball and the spot kick. She smoothly smashed it home past the EN keeper and leveled the game. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1QXJpy_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1QXJpy_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Gwen Laurent converts from the stripe for the Braves to knot the game at 1-1. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>“She’s an absolute leader,” says Lee of Laurent. “No one was beating her tonight.”Now the Braves focus on the Barons for Monday. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=22UNN7_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=22UNN7_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Freshman Oni Krueckeberg provides a distraction for the EN keeper on a corner kick for the Braves Wednesday. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>“Winning a conference is challenging,” opined Lee, who has considerable experience in the matter. “You can’t have a bad moment in seven games. You have maybe one team who you can count on for a win, everyone else is tough. They’re all good. They’re all larger schools compared to us.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2y7e7c_0vkXQzii00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2y7e7c_0vkXQzii00" width="1920" height="1272" ><figcaption>Adi Knipstein was especially dangerous Wednesday as part of the back line, bringing the ball up the right sideline and feeding Kaitlyn Barton and Anna Ruble with quality service. (Photo by Dane Fuelling)</figcaption></figure>Excited about the prospect of winning another NE8 title and aware of the opportunity to have the away game broadcast live back home, Lee said with a smile, “One more to go!”</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Barton, Laurent team up to keep Braves’ NE8 hopes alive

Freshman Kaitlyn Barton did the legwork. Senior Gwen Laurent finished it with skill. An emotional, drawn-out match with East Noble finished in ecstasy for the Bellmont Braves when Laurent clattered the ball off the woodwork for a remarkable goal with 73 seconds left in the contest, handing the home team a come-from-behind, 2-1 victory.