Bishop Brossart boys soccer coach Donny Bray wanted folks to forgive his emotions Saturday.
No mea culpa was needed because the Mustangs won their second straight 10th Region championship over Montgomery County, 3-0, at Campbell County High School.
Next for Brossart: Ninth Region champion Ryle, a 3-0 winner over Newport Central Catholic, in the opening round of the state tournament at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Union.
The Mustangs thus continued what Bray called “an interesting year.”
“But one of the goals this year was to get back here,” Bray said. “And I’ll just apologize for being emotional. I’m just really happy and proud for these boys. I want their success for them more than I want anything for myself.”
For the second straight season, Brossart’s girls and boys teams defended their region titles. (The Lady ‘Stangs shut out Scott, 5-0, on Thursday at Montgomery County.)
Brossart’s (12-9-2) boys are still playing thanks to both familiar and lesser-known names on the stat sheets. Leading scorer Luke Neltner scored two goals and junior Cooper Ochsner had one plus an assist.
Ben Sweeney assisted on Ochsner’s and Neltner’s second goal.
You could also include senior goalkeeper Ryan Eldridge in any most valuable player talk. He stopped 13 shots to earn his seventh clean sheet.
“I feel like (Eldridge) is a big part of their success with multiple shots,” Montgomery County coach Kevin Miles said. “He came up with some big saves.”
Eldridge was grateful Saturday was not a repeat of 2025’s regional final.
“And it felt good to not get … penalty kicks for once,” he said, referring to the 2-1 regional final win over Montgomery County.
The Indians (9-14-1) were happy to have everybody available – the Indians played much of the season with five starters out.
“I’ve not had a full roster until the postseason,” Miles said.
Brossart and Montgomery County both played a 4-5-1 setup with four defenders, five midfielders and a striker, hoping to press each other’s midfielders. The Indians kept the Mustangs on defense much of the first half.
“First half, we were struggling a little bit but staying connected in the middle because we weren’t transitioning very good,” Neltner said. “But second half, we knew what was on the line, and it was our season.”
Ochsner finally put Brossart ahead to stay when he scored in the 70th minute when he beat Montgomery County goalkeeper Charles Hughes near the penalty kick spot.
“That is my only goal the whole season,” Ochsner said.
Neltner scored his first goal in the 77th minute.
“I had that in the left side corner, and I’m right-footed,” Neltner said. “So my goal there was to cut back on the inside and get a shot, but I needed to get the defender to be off balance. So I did a few scissors (stepping over the ball), and a body feint, and I got that inside first step on him, and I took a shot.”
Nelter finished the scoring in the 80th minute, nine seconds from the end.
“Montgomery was down … we’re playing ‘til that buzzer ends,” he said. “So I was sitting back post, Ben Sweeney, my midfielder, saw me back post, played a great ball, and (I) got a great finish.”
Neltner, Sweeney and Kingston Hungler made the regional all-tournament team.
True to his excitable nature, Bray joyfully celebrated – unapologetically.
“We’re not done, baby,” he said in the postgame huddle. “Let’s shock the world.”
