Bellefonte senior forward Any Gerasenko taps a ball between a Somerset defender during Thursday evening's home game at Rogers Stadium. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

BELLEFONTE– The game was just a few minutes in when Bellefonte senior forward Andy Gerasenko and freshman forward Seth Caton vowed to set the tone in Thursday evening’s game against Somerset. With multiple through balls and two shots-on-goal in the first three minutes of the game between the two, the Raiders were intact offensively. The two shots early on led to a four-goal first half that lifted Bellefonte over Somerset 7-1 for its first LHAC win of the season.

The Raiders opened the season with two consecutive non-conference wins, giving it a boost to begin the season. But when Bellefonte took its high hopes and confidence on the road, it dropped a nail-biting, 2-1 overtime loss on the road at Forest Hills on Tuesday. The Raiders regrouped with not just a strong win on the scoreboard, but its aggressiveness. Bellefonte totaled 14 shots, 11 in the first half and nine on-goal in the first 40 minutes, which paced it to the five-point home win.

“Very pleased tonight. I think overall that was a solid team win tonight,” Bellefonte coach Scott Martz said after the game. “We got going quick offensively tonight which we didn’t do against Forest Hills. It looked like we didn’t get off the bus at Forest Hills in the first 15 minutes so (Thursday) we wanted to get started early and they did that.”

Gerasenko helped pace the offense with four goals, including three in the first half to complete a hat trick. Caton, John Servant and Conelle Stabinger all added one goal while Stabinger and Caton both added assists. Bellefonte’s offense dominated throughout the entire 80 minutes. The Raider forwards held possession for a good part of the game, especially in the first half, and the midfielders did a solid job feeding them the ball.

Gerasenko and Caton took care of the first four Bellefonte goals, setting a tone for the game, nonetheless making a statement to Somerset that it would be a long night if the two continued its offensive onslaught.

Bellefonte junior goalkeeper Elijah Davis prepares to kick a ball during Thursday afternoon's home game against Somerset at Rogers Stadium. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

“It made everyone just relax and settle in,” coach Martz said when asked about how the early start dictated the remainder of the game. “They’ve been playing solid all year but when we get up on a team like that and we score one or two early, they can just sit back and just relax. We’re doing a great job of dropping the ball back and the defense is doing a good job of moving the ball forward for us.

“In a close game it’s a little bit more tight but tonight they played relaxed,” coach Martz said.

The Raiders came out with offensive aggression to begin the game. Gerasenko and Caton helped command Bellefonte’s offense and align the forward line as the Raiders totaled five shots (three on goal) in the opening nine minutes of the game. Gerasenko scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game and Caton added another one minute later. Conelle Stabinger, who assisted Gerasenko’s second goal, was active in the midfield and front line with John Servant, Gerasenko and Caton.

Somerset did a solid job staying in the game despite trailing by three goals in the early half of the first half. The Golden Eagles responded with a goal by Cole Johnson on an assist from Owen DiFebo in the 19th minute to give it some life. Somerset put its third and fourth shots of the game, which were shots across the top bar and the left side, with 13 minutes left in the first half. Somerset did a solid job settling in after its first score of the game, attempting to play catch-up against the Raiders.

Junior midfielder John Servant did a good job in the midfield pushing some through balls to Gerasenko and Caton. Then Gerasenko pushed the pace along the left sideline and was tripped up in the tackle box. With 3:31 left in the half, Gerasenko nailed a PK to put the Raiders up 4-1 just before the first half closed.

Bellefonte junior midfield John Servant dribbles a ball during Thursday afternoon's home game against Somerset at Rogers Stadium. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

Gerasenko continued his dominance offensively when he snuck in his fourth goal of the game on the left side of the net to put the Raiders up 5-1. Gerasenko thrived in a 1-on-1 scenario, something he’s done for a few years now. With just under 26 minutes left in the game, on a free kick from over 25 yards out from the goal, put in a nice shot to add to the Raiders offensive dominance.

Servant’s kick just about completed the win until Stabinger, who was the fourth Raider to tally the scoreboard, notched one final Bellefonte goal to give the Raiders its seventh goal of the night.

Bellefonte’s game against Somerset was a different result last year. The Raiders fell, 4-3 on the road. With the talent, skill and speed of the Golden Eagles, coach Martz preached the visitor’s intensity and to match that all game.

The Raiders not only matched that but exceeded expectations to put up its first conference win of the season after a loss earlier this week.

“It was huge tonight,” coach Martz said on the win. “We played these guys last year and it was a 4-3 game. I knew coming out that they have speed and that they were quick and I told our guys that we have to match that speed and intensity. And they did. I told them, ‘if you play a full, 80-minute game like that there’s nobody in the league that is going to beat us. We need to play a full 80-minute game and match everyone’s intensity and speed.'”

Bellefonte freshman forward Seth Caton dribbles against a Somerset defender in Thursday evening's game at Rogers Stadium. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

DOING WHAT’S NEEDED

Gerasenko is one of Bellefonte’s veteran leaders this season. He’s aware of the presence he needs to have each game. Much like Brady Wertz was a season ago, Caton is helping Gerasenko fill that role in his first year. The two fill opposite sides of the field, receive passes from mid-fielders and put a lot of pressure on opponents’ defensive lines.

Gerasenko knows he can score, and will when needed, but other times, in games like Thursday’s blowout victory, his passing is what’s best for the team.

“He’s doing a good job of scoring when he needs to score for us,” coach Martz said about Gerasenko. “Seth (Canton) is the other one up front. He’s a freshman and Andy is doing a good job serving balls and trying to get him started. So overall Andy is just a great leader up front for us. But when we need him to score, he’s going to score for us. When we need him to serve balls to Seth he helps out.”

The versatility of Bellefonte, led by Gerasenko, will be a big part in how far Bellefonte goes this season.

Bellefonte freshman forward Seth Caton heads a ball during Thursday afternoon's game against Somerset at Rogers Stadium. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

Bellefonte 7, Somerset 1

SCORING

BEL-Andy Gerasenko (Seth Caton), 8:09; Andy Gerasenko (Conelle Stabinger), 10:48; Seth Caton (UA), 11:12; Andy Gerasenko (PK), 6:29; Andy Gerasenko (UA), 41:51; John Servant (free kick), 54:50; Conelle Stabinger (PK), 70:49. SOM-Cole Johnson (Owen DiFebo), 19:54.

Shots: BEL 14, SOM 7. Shots on goal: BEL 11, SOM 5. Corners: BEL 3, SOM 1. Penalties: SOM 2, BEL 0. Saves: SOM 6 (Kai Petrosky). BEL 3 (Elijah Davis).

Records: Bellefonte 3-1.

Bellefonte boys celebrate after senior forward Andy Gerasenko scores in Thursday afternoon's game against Somerset at Rogers Stadium. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

Next game: Bellefonte at Clearfield Tuesday.