Tipp, Bellbrook finish in scoreless tie

Coming off a tie against Troy in a huge conference matchup, the Tippecanoe boys soccer team had another tough game last Thursday, hosting area power Bellbrook. 

After 80 minutes, nothing on the scoreboard was decided as the teams finished in a 0-0 tie, with both teams unable to capitalize on their chances.

“Our inexperience showed and we don’t have a lot of varsity guys,” Tipp coach Joel Slyman said. “We never question our effort, it’s now about the execution. Guys have done a nice job in games, but now to be at the next level we have to execute at a higher rate against good teams.” “You can do that against lower teams and it works, but when you play Bellbrook and Troy, you have to execute at a higher rate, and we are not there yet. We are progressing but not as fast as the guys want to.”

Both teams had their shots to get the lead in the first half, but the keepers made the big saves. A diving save from Tipp’s Cole Venters with 15:39 left in the half preserved the shutout, his first of the year. Slyman praised not only Venters, but the defense in front of him did their job against a quality opponent. “It was our first shutout of the year, and the two guys on the other side are all-state quality players and you have to hang your hats on the defense,” Slyman said. “They take pride in the shutout, and you have to credit Kaleb Logan and Colin Turner for guarding those two guys.” “You don’t love ties in games you feel you should have won, but our defense stepped up. We limited their chances and that’s what we wanted to do, we just have to capitalize on ours.”

*Earlier in the week, Tipp traveled to Troy to battle one of their top MVL rivals, and came home with a 2-2 tie, after leading by two goals in the second half. “What an electric atmosphere, I don’t think I have been to a regular season game ever that was that electric, it felt like a regional final game,” Slyman said. “Credit to Troy, but you don’t want to squander a lead in a rivalry game but they are a good team. I think our guys gor a taste of what big time soccer was.”

Scoring for Tipp was Cameron Smith and Logan.