Bethel’s David Kasimov passes the ball downfield Wednesday night against Madeira at Centerville.
Mike Ullery | Miami Valley Today
Bethel’s Colby Keiser controls the ball against Madeira Wednesday night.
Mike Ullery | Miami Valley Today
Bethel’s Jaiden Hogge brings the ball downfield against Madeira Wednesday night.
Mike Ullery | Miami Valley Today
CENTERVILLE — No matter now successful a season you have had, it is always tough to see it end.
And it was that way for the Bethel boys soccer team Wednesday night against Madeira at Centerville.
The Bees, who finish 17-2-2, battled to the very end before Madeira improved to 18-2-1 with a 2-0 victory.
But, Bethel had nothing to hang its heads about.
“We just went toe to toe with the best team in the state,” Bethel coach Bob Hamlin said.
And for most of the game, only one goal separated the two teams.
That came midway though the first half.
The Mustangs Josh Jordan scored from in front of the goal with 19:38 remaining in the half.
“I thought our defense did a really good job,” Hamlin said. “Madeira is a really good team offensively. Except for that one goal. The guy (Josh Jordan) was unmarked in the middle of the field and scored off a great pass.”
Throughout the second half, Bethel didn’t get a lot of scoring opportunities, but Nolan Flomerfelt was up to every challenge at the other end, making a number of great saves.
As the game clock dwindled down under 10 minutes, Hamlin knew he had take a gamble to try and create scoring opportunities.
“We pushed our one defender up a little to try and create some push and put some pressure on them offensively,” Hamlin said.
It did just that, as Bethel was able to create several good scoring opportunities with shots that just missed.
But, with 3:43 remaining, Madeira’s Bridger Blackwelder found the back of the net for an insurance goal to make it to 2-0.
“Unfortunately, he (Bridger Blackwelder) was able to get behind our defense and did a great job finishing on the shot,” Hamlin said.
It was the final game for seniors Eli Mutlu, Casey Keesee, Dylan Franck, Sam Sortman, Flomerfelt, Devyn Mann, Jaiden Hogge, Alejandro Alvarez, Lucas Arnold, Will Bean, Omar Niang and Cooper Rodgers.
And they leave an impressive legacy.
Bethel tied the school record for wins, won the first-ever TRC boys soccer title and won its first district title since 2010.
“We had a great season,” Hamilin said. “We tied the school record for wins and won the TRC title in its first year. This team accomplished a lot.”
Which is why it hurt so much to see it end.
