By: Carsen Caldwell
Following a shaky 10-9 2025 season, the Bellbrook women’s soccer team was hoping for a redemption year in 2026.
The Eagles are 2-3 so far, beating Tippecanoe — contributing to the Bellbrook-Tipp sweep — and also defeating Monroe. On the other hand, the Eagles have lost to Alter, Beavercreek, and Butler.
The Eagles hope they can mirror last year, where they started out 0-4, and ended the season above 500.
But with three key varsity injuries of senior Ashelyn Barrios, and juniors Olivia Southard and Anelise Terry, the Eagles are going to face an uphill battle.
“Being injured during my last season of high school soccer is difficult,” Senior Captain Ashelyn Barrios said. “But it gives me an opportunity I never had, cheering on my teammates from the sidelines.” Barrios is expected to be out for the entire season.
Barrios is invested in the development of junior Macy Westbeld, who replaced her on the field as the winger. Barrios also has a special place in her heart for her fellow captain and senior, Natalie Bruckman. Bruckman is her best friend on the team.
“Being injured also makes you excited to recover, come back stronger, and enjoy playing again,” Barrios said.
The injuries to the Eagles starting lineup has enabled underclassmen to emerge from the shadows. “If Olivia wasn’t injured, I wouldn’t be playing the entire game,” sophomore starter Briley Poole said. Poole replaced Olivia Southard as the center back this year. “There’s a lot of pressure on me. I was on JV last year so this year I have to give it my all since I am starting on Varsity now.”
The team has not altogether forgotten their injured teammates though. “We keep them on the field in spirit, we write their numbers on our legs and our coach, Brad Stork, leads team prayers after games,” Poole said. She had the number 11 written on her leg for Anelise.
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