LINING IT UP — Big Red’s Kingsten Kaufman advances the ball up the field against Brooke on Thursday. - Andrew Grimm

Taking on a youthful Brooke team on the road, Steubenville had exactly the kind of night their coach wanted to see as they had six different players score in a 10-0 victory over the Bruins on Paul “Bud” Billiard Field.

“We went to (Wheeling) Park the other day and they beat us pretty good, so we wanted to get our footing back,” Bowers said. “We wanted to secure our spot as the No. 2 seed, that was the goal, and we came out and took care of business.”

With the win, the standings update on Thursday night indeed had Big Red (6-3-1) in the top two in Class 5A to earn the desired bye and home game in the semis next week. Thursday evening was the cutoff for the tournament.

“I told them to get to host in the OVAC tournament is a big deal, having the bye and only needing to win one to get to the championship game is a good opportunity that doesn’t happen very often,” Bowers said. “We’ll get to work in practice to get better and be ready to take care of that opportunity.”

IN THE AIR — Brooke’s Jacob Johnson attempts to knock the ball down in front of Big Red’s Landon Bowers during Thursday’s game. - Andrew Grimm

In Thursday’s game, Cole Bowers had a monster night to lead the Crimson and Black. The Army football recruit tallied four goals and registered two assists.

Landon Bowers had a goal and three assists, Tad Loot tallied a goal and two assists, Thomas Lucas and Thomas Stanchfield each had a goal and an assist and Eli Jankowski scored a goal.

JJ Lamantia (one save) and Luca Holt (two saves) combined for the shutout in goal.

“We got everybody going,” coach Bowers said. “We had six different guys score, we moved the ball well.”

Brooke (1-11) credited its keeper Bronson Pack with a 12-save performance.

“We’re in a rebuilding year, we’re a young team,” Brooke coach Joe Pepe said. “We kind of figured we would take some lumps this year, but our kids never quit and keep working. We’re proud of this team, they have heart. We’ll be fine.

“Big Red is a good team, they move the ball well. I wish them luck the rest of their season.”

UP NEXT

Big Red: Does not play again before the OVAC tournament and will wait and see who emerges from the quarterfinals.

Brooke: Will host Buckhannon-Upshur on Saturday.