By RYAN WALKER
Bellmont’s offense was just too much for Norwell, ending the Knights season on its home field 3-1 Thursday night,
It was wet and rainy from the opening kick, but the two teams toughed out what should have been the sectional championship game. Heritage (11-3), who Norwell beat 5-1 two weeks ago, will play Bellmont Saturday night in the championship game.
This was the Knights’ chance to finally knock the Braves off after losing by one goal in each of their last two meetings. Last year, Norwell was eliminated 2-1 in the sectional semi-final as well. This year, it was 1-0 in the regular season.
The Braves (15-2-2), No. 4 in 2A, came out swinging on the attacking end, barely letting the Knights (11-5-1) possess the ball.
Senior standout Gracie Rinkenger did what she could as the goaltender and made at least seven or more big saves along with her defensive supporting cast.
The kicks just kept on coming until Bellmont broke free with two goals in a row toward the end of the first half. The first was scored by Anna Ruble with five minutes to go, and the second by team leader Carly Gilbert with four. Her 16th goal on the season.
Bellmont scores 2.6 goals per game on average, and with an offense that spreads the field well, it was hard to stop.
“We talked about it all week in planning for it,” Norwell head coach Dan Batdorff said after the game. “We know what (the Braves) are going to do, and it’s the same thing year after year. It’s just they execute, that’s the biggest thing. There’s ball control, there’s execution, great placement of players, they move well off the ball, they move well together.”
At the half, it looked like Norwell didn’t stand a chance. But at the beginning of the second half, it looked like a more inspired group, one that had nothing to lose.
Batdorff’s team started to control the ball and get a few chances at some through balls. Though they weren’t hitting on them, the ball was at least over midfield significantly more often than in the first half.
At the 21-minute mark, Norwell’s leading goal-scorer, Grace Mann, sent one through the back of the net to get on the board.
Perhaps the tide was turning? Well, not for long.
Less than two minutes later, Bellmont’s Arabelle Laurent scored to squash any momentum Norwell had.
For the rest of the game, the Braves had complete command of the ball before the clock turned to 0.
“It always hurts, but at the same time, this is the No. 4 team in the state,” Batdorff said. “I can’t complain too much. I mean, they were the better team. They showed it.”
Bellmont will head to the championship match against the ACAC champs Heritage on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
For Norwell, it was Batdorff’s best season with 11 wins. The coach was nearly emotional as he recapped the season after the game, giving praise to his players and his eight seniors.
“I tried to tell them that, but I was going to break down crying,” Batdorff said. “I appreciate them so much. It has been a wonderful season. Statistically, this is the best season I’ve had as a coach.”
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