Everyone knows that the Bethel Bees are expected to be strong on the soccer field.  As they took the field in their season opener last week hosting Milton Union, they would quiet any doubters.
The Bees (1-0) jumped out to a four goal lead at the half, and rolled to an impressive 8-0 win over their county rival Bulldogs squad.

“We didn’t play the best we could, but it was an 8-0 win, and we hopefully got a lot out of our system,” said longtime Bethel coach Bob Hamlin.  “Now we need to regroup, and keep this going onto our next game.”
The Bees came out firing, nearly scoring the opening goal in the first minute.  They controlled the pace of play, and ten minutes into the game, they got on the scoreboard.
Cody Traylor scored off an assist from Kode Kahle with 31:54 left in the first half, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead.  Seven minutes later, a penalty inside the box allowed Kahle a chance at a penalty kick, which he scored making it 2-0.
After two near misses, the Bees added to their lead at the 13:02 mark, as Joe Zimmerman scored the first of his four goals on the night, a header in the paint after scrambling for a loose ball, and the Bees led 3-0.
Their final goal of the half came when Kahle found the net after a loose ball deflected off the goalie’s hands, and the senior was there to punch it in.  The Bees led 4-0 at the break.
“Milton played really hard, and they are an aggressive team,” Hamlin said.  “Our guys took advantage of the situations they had.”
Bethel continued their strong play in the second half, as Zimmerman scored consecutive goals with a four minute span to make it 6-0.  Midway through the second half, it was Joe Dupras scoring with an assist from sophomore Derek Longshore to push the Bees lead to 7-0.
The scoring concluded at the 16:18 mark when Zimmerman scored on a loose ball, scrambling to cap the offensive attack.
“We are just going to out back out there every day in practice and work to get better,” Hamlin said. 
The Bees were playing without all-Ohio player Joey Brown, who is recovering from an ankle injury.  It was a chance for some of the younger players to step up.
“With Joey out, we are trying to find an identity, and it gives some of the younger kids some experience,” the coach said.
Brown had his cast removed last week, and is starting therapy according to Hamlin. 
“We hope to have him back for the Greeneview game coming up,” he said.