Druffner hat trick boosts Bellbrook

BELLBROOK — After more than a week off, the Bellbrook boys soccer team took some time to kick the dust off. But with the help of a Brandon Druffner hat trick, the Golden Eagles defeated Southwestern Buckeye League, Southwest division opponent Oakwood 6-0, Tuesday night at Bellbrook High School.

Bellbrook’s last game was a 2-0 win over Dayton Chaminade Julienne on Sept. 12. Druffner said he felt the team didn’t have much rust.

“We’re always working to start quick, and work hard off the first whistle. That was a concern, but we came out hard and took care of business.”

Bellbrook coach Kevin Terrell disagreed.

“We did come out flat. It took us 40 minutes to really get in the groove of things and get back on track. Luckily we held strong in the back and we didn’t do anything dumb.”

Rust or no rust, the Golden Eagles eventually started clicking. Druffner scored Bellbrook’s first goal with 18:36 left in the first half. The shot was the first of three goals for Druffner. He scored again with 2:43 left in the half, heading the ball in off a corner kick from Gavin Ferrin.

Terrell praised Druffner for always hustling on the field.

“He’s a work horse. He’s all over. You get 110 percent every time he steps on the field, and that’s what happens in games. He takes advantage of that,” he said. “He can go 80 minutes if he needed to. It’s impressive.”

Oakwood (2-2-3, 2-1-2 SWBL) had a goal called off for a player being offside, and Bellbrook (7-1, 6-0 SWBL) took the 2-0 lead into halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, the Bellbrook players wanted to put the game away.

“Coming out in the second half, we need to set the tone and make sure they didn’t feel like they had the chance to stay in the game,” said Druffner.

Brady Tincher struck first in the second half, getting the Oakwood keeper to jump early before putting the ball in the net just 40 second into the half. He was assisted by Josh Lawson. Five minutes later, Shane Niemeier bent a free kick around three Oakwood defenders to put Bellbrook up 4-0.

With just over 30 minutes remaining in the game, Druffner finished his hat trick, scoring out of a crowd of Lumberjack defenders. He credited the team’s game plan and his hustle for his success.

“Our game plan was to get the ball wide, and me being an outside mid, it just worked well,” he said. “I worked my butt off.”

Lawson capped the night off for the Eagles with 23:36 remaining in the game.

Bellbrook returns to action against another SWBL opponent when they host Germantown Valley View at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Bellbrook Stadium.

Bellbrook senior Brandon Druffner (right) takes a shot at the net, scoring his first of three goals in a match against Oakwood, Tuesday at Bellbrook High School. The Golden Eagles won 6-0.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/web1_DHT-Soccer-Boys-Bellbrook-vs-Oakwood-9-22-2015-0241-A-0219.jpgBellbrook senior Brandon Druffner (right) takes a shot at the net, scoring his first of three goals in a match against Oakwood, Tuesday at Bellbrook High School. The Golden Eagles won 6-0. Don Tate | Greene County News

Junior Shane Niemeier (16) heads the ball in a game against Oakwood, Tuesday at Bellbrook High School. He had a goal in the 6-0 Bellbrook win.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/web1_DHT-Soccer-Boys-Bellbrook-vs-Oakwood-9-22-2015-0070-B-0003.jpgJunior Shane Niemeier (16) heads the ball in a game against Oakwood, Tuesday at Bellbrook High School. He had a goal in the 6-0 Bellbrook win. Don Tate | Greene County News

Bellbrook senior Josh Lawson attacks the Lumberjack defense in a match against Oakwood, Tuesday at Bellbrook High School. Lawson had a goal and an assist in the 6-0 win for the Golden Eagles.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/web1_DHT-Soccer-Boys-Bellbrook-vs-Oakwood-9-22-2015-0040-A-0040.jpgBellbrook senior Josh Lawson attacks the Lumberjack defense in a match against Oakwood, Tuesday at Bellbrook High School. Lawson had a goal and an assist in the 6-0 win for the Golden Eagles. Don Tate | Greene County News

By Zach Gregory

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Reach Zach Gregory at (937) 372-4444, Ext. 2124.