Coming into the season, Bethel senior Erica Turner was expected to be among the players to watch in the area, and last week as the Bees earned their first win against Piqua, Turner left no doubt to the Indians about how talented she is.

Turner scored two goals and added an assist as the Bees won their first game of the season, with a 4-0 shutout against the Indians.

“This win means a lot for us,” Bethel coach Dru Bescoe after the game. “It’s good to finally put one away. These are the goals they set for themselves, and these girls have a lot they want to accomplish.”

Turner scored at the 23:30 mark of the first half when she took a pass from Mackenzie Hoeferlin, and tucked the ball into the net, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead.

“That was a great ball and Erica did a nice job finishing it.” Bescoe said.

That was all the Bees could muster in the opening 40 minutes, as they held a slim 1-0 lead at the break. While the offense took advantage of their chance, Bescoe was impressed how solid the defense and keeper Kelsey Hackney was in the game.

It didn’t take the Bees long to add to their lead once the second half started. Lauren Newton took the pass from Turner on a great cross, and Bescoe feels that scoring that quickly likely took the enthusiasm away from the Indians.

Turner scored again for the Bees when Kiana King played the ball over the top and Turner finished, taking their lead out to 3-0.

Bethel scored their final goal of the game when Newton scored. Olivia Rust launched a shot from about 25 yards out, and when it ricocheted off the bar, Newton was there to tap it in.

With Hackey stepping up to get the shutout, Bescoe feels she could have a good future with the Bees.

“She is getting better and better,” Bescoe said. “Over the last couple of games, she had come up with some big saves, and the teams have had to work harder. She is all over it.”

As for Turner, Bescoe is excited about her stepping up to lead the team.

“She is stepping up as a senior and is creating so many chances for everyone,” the Bees coach said. “Erica is a complete player.”

*Also last week, Bethel defeated Troy Christian 2-0 at home. Gabby Behr and Rust scored the two goals for the Bees, while Turner picked up the assist.