For the first time since 2011, the Bethel boys’ soccer team has something to celebrate.

With their win over Twin Valley South last week, the Bees captured the Cross County Conference championship with a perfect league record.

“We graduated 11 seniors from last year’s squad and many people thought this would be a rebuilding year for us,” Bethel coach Bob Hamlin said. “It took some time but these kids have worked hard, they trust one another, and are all about the team. I am very proud of these young men.”

Bethel scored

Bethel scored when Daniel Ross took a pass from Korry Hamlin for the first goal of the game to give the Bees the lead, which they would never relinquish.

Luke Moorefield scored the next goal for the Bees, then Hamlin capped the scoring when he made it 3-0 with an assist coming from Tyler Brueckman.

“This was a tough game tonight,” Hamlin said. “A much improved Twin Valley South team playing on a narrow field made the task at hand challenging. I thought we played good soccer tonight.”

“Our off the ball runs were very good and created numerous chances but going against a packed in defense was a chore. But I was very happy we did not panic and kept attacking and finally it paid off.”

Bethel ended the regular season 11-4-1 overall.

Also last week, the Bees defeated Kenton Ridge 2-0 in a non-conference game.

Hamlin scored the first goal for the Bees to give Bethel a 1-0 lead at the half, before Ross added an insurance goal in the second half, with the assist coming from Brueckman.

“This was a good win for us tonight,” Hamlin said. “Kenton Ridge is a very good soccer team and don’t let the record fool you. We were out of sync tonight against their flat four.”

“We kept trying to go for the home run instead of working the ball and finding slots. Korry scored on a free kick right before halftime that gave us a big lift coming out in the second half. Then the game became an up and down second half with little midfield play for both teams.”

With 5:29 left Brueckman coming down the left side found Daniel Ross in the middle.

“Daniel shielded off a defender and was very composed in putting the ball in the back of the net to seal the win. This is the type of win you need right before the tournament.”

Bethel played their first round tournament game after deadline, and with their likely win, should come back tomorrow night hosting Miami East for a 7 p.m. game.

*Erica Turner had a hat trick for the Bees girls’ soccer team as they defeated Twin Valley South 6-0 in their season finale. Kayla Grable also scored for Bethel, as did Morgan Reittinger and Grace Anthony.

Bethel finishes the regular season 7-5-4, and they played Northwestern last night in the first round of the sectional tournament.