Due Bescoe is happy to be back at the helm of the Bethel girls’ soccer program, after the former Lady Bees coach has returned for the 2016 season. With solid players returning, Bescoe is ready to get things started again with the Bees.

“It has been great,” Bescoe said. “The girls have been receptive and hard working. We have set high expectations, and if they gel together they are a pretty solid from top to bottom. We are looking to go beyond 9-7 from last year.”

Bescoe likes what he has seen from his senior leaders so far this fall, and he knows their leadership will determine the success of the team.

“We have had good senior leadership so far, they are working hard and we have some really good skilled players coming back” he said. “They will be their own limit.”

Seniors Kelsey Hackney returns in the goal, and is joined by defender Kayla Grable and striker Erica Turner for a small but strong senior class.

Juniors to watch for the Bees include central defender Olivia Rust, center mid Maggie Kahler, along with Molly McKenny (defender and outside mid) and inside mid Lydia Thumser.

Bescoe also noted sophomore Brodi Voight will be a key defender, and a good group of freshmen working hard for the Bees.

Bethel Boys Soccer- Coming off of a sectional final loss to Newton, the Bees boys soccer team is gearing up with a lot of new players as they lost 11 seniors off that team. Coach Bob Hamlin is relying on the young kids on the team to raise their game and contribute.

“We graduated 11 seniors and we have to replace a great deal of experience and leadership,” Hamlin said. “With that being said we also return a good deal of technically sound young players that have played high level club soccer which should help ease the transition.”

“We have one senior on the roster so our youth will have to carry us. We have two of our top three scorers back but we have all new players in the back defensively. We have done well this summer so we are looking forward to the season ahead.”

Returning for the Bees are junior midfielder Korry Hamlin, a first-team all-district and second-team all-Ohio player. Also Bethel returns all-conference juniors Tyler Brueckman, and third-team all-area player junior Joe Miller.

Also back are juniors Luke Morefield, keeper Alex van Haaren, Ben Lawson and Daniel Ross.

Bethel finished 14-4 last season, and Hamlin is ready for another run at the Cross County Conference title this season.

“This may be one of the most competitive years in the CCC as four teams could contend for the championship,” he said. “Franklin Monroe returns a good amount of starters from a championship team last year. Newton has eight or nine returners back from a district runners up team, and Miami East is a very dangerous team though they did lose a couple of key players to graduation. We will also be in the hunt. So you must be ready to play every week in conference play.”