The Beaver Area boys soccer team is back on the pitch and they are ready to go for another deep run in the WPIAL playoffs this fall.

This year Coach Scott Hazuda and the Bobcats will see some new teams join their section as Keystone Oaks and rivals Central Valley have joined the section.

After finishing last year with a 10-6 record the Bobcats made it to the playoffs as an 11-seed but lost in the first round to Shadyside Academy 3-0.

To prepare for this season, the Bobcats had two scrimmage games with the first being a 1-0 loss on the road to Neshannock. Following the loss the Bobcats bounced back against West Allegheny with a 4-1 win at home.

First up on the regular schedule was a trip to the defending WPIAL and PIAA runners-up Quaker Valley August 27. In a hard fought battle the Bobcats came out on the losing end to a tough Quakers team 4-1 with the lone goal being scored off a free kick by sophomore Anthony Furda.

Next up for the Bobcats was their home opener against Mohawk August 29 where they looked to bounce back from the previous loss. The Bobcats were led by Furda’s hat trick and freshman Ryan Perez’s two goals in a resounding 7-0 win.

The Bobcats went back on the road for a game against new section members Keystone Oaks September 5. The newcomers managed a back and fourth battle that went to double overtime which still wasn’t enough to separate the two teams with the final score being a 1-1 draw. Furda’s penalty kick was the Bobcats’ lone goal.

September 7 the Bobcats took on Sewickley Academy in a non-section match where the Bobcats fought hard in the second half to score three goals to win 3-1. Sophomore Shane Ebbit scored two goals, and senior Joseph Pruszenski scored one with all three goals being assisted by junior Zach Orend.

Up next for the Bobcats was a road game against rivals Hopewell September 10. In a back and forth game the Bobcats came back in the second half to win 2-1 with a goal from Ebbit and the game-winning goal scored by Furda in the final 5 minutes.

“The overall start to the season has had its ups and downs, but we still have a lot of time to improve,” said Furda.

The Bobcats have had some early success so far and look to build on it as they are 3-1-1 heading into the middle of the season.