The Beaver Area girls soccer team took a season ending fall before expected.

Finishing out the regular season with two non-section games is usual for the Bobcats, but nothing the girls couldn’t handle. October 19 the girls traveled to Sewickley Academy for their first non-section game.

When the girls arrived, they got news the game may be getting canceled due to no referees being scheduled for that game. After the warmups, the game was canceled meaning Sewickley Academy was forced to forfeit the game resulting in a Bobcat win.

The next day, October 20, the girls actually got the chance to play a game (thank you Beaver Area athletic department for showing Sewickley Academy how to schedule referees). In their last regular season and home game of the season, the girls took the pitch against Blackhawk High School.

Early in the game, the Bobcats scored four goals against the Cougars and netted two more in the second half resulting in a 6-3 last regular season Bobcat victory. Junior Abby Noah and freshmen Sydney Chontos and Emerson Connelly all netted two goals for the Bobcats. Connelly was also awarded player of the game for her incredible midfield performance.

JV also picked up a well-deserved 2-0 win over the Cougars.

It was another emotional night for the nine senior girls since it was their last time playing on their home field. With a couple minutes remaining in the game, head coach Nick Crivelli and assistant coach Grant Mundy gave all the senior girls on the field their curtain calls, subbing them out of the game for the last time at home and greeting them at the sidelines with comforting high-fives and hugs.

“We really wanted to win since this was the last time the seniors would play on the Tarq. We really came flying at Blackhawk and scored goals early which was a great morale booster going into the playoffs,” said Noah.

Once the regular season ended, it was time for playoffs. After the Blackhawk game, the girls eagerly waited to hear who their opponent would be in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. At last the Bobcats got the news that they would be traveling to Mount Pleasant Area High School October 26 at 8 p.m.

Last year, the Beaver Area girls soccer team got into the playoffs by luck when Quaker Valley tested positive for COVID, but this year’s playoff spot was earned by skill and not a lucky second chance.

When the girls arrived at Mount Pleasant, the rain was coming down sideways, there were 30 mph non-stop winds, and it was only 40 degrees, so the girls knew they had a challenging game ahead of them.

But the Bobcats didn’t let those conditions hold them back. The girls game out hard and ready to work; unfortunately, so did the Mount Pleasant girls. The Vikings scored first, but it only took a minute for Chontos to score the equalizer for the Bobcats.

The game was tied 1-1 late into the second half with the rain continuing to lash sideways. Unfortunately with only a few minutes left in the game, the Vikings hit the back of the net resulting in a heartbreaking, season-ending 2-1 loss for the Bobcats.

“We fought hard but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Even though our playoff run was cut short, this was still a season to remember full of amazing people and memories,” said freshman Sydney Chontos.

“The season-ending loss in the playoffs to Mount Pleasant was very disappointing to us. We played really well and I thought we deserved better results. I felt that we were a good enough squad to compete for the WPIAL title. However, the loss won’t define us as a team or in any way lessen [the team’s] accomplishments this season. It was my Beaver girls soccers best season record and first earned playoff appearance in four years. We were strong in all aspects of our game outscoring opponents 48-15. We had contributions from all four classes and had scoring from 15 different players,” Head Coach Crivelli reflected on the season.

The girls managed to have a record of 9-4-0. In section games the girls beat tough competitors Quaker Valley, Hopewell, and Ambridge twice each.

Coach Crivelli expects another great season next year: “The senior class has set a tone for the returning players next year, and it is something we will build on. Next year’s success will be a direct result of what my best senior class started four years ago.”

“Clearly the outcome of the Mt. Pleasant game wasn't what we wanted, but this season was so much more than just a loss in the playoffs. Every game was played with so much heart, and each and every player that entered the field exemplified that. The team chemistry was strong allowing us to work as one and it was an amazing experience to get to play with such a talented group of girls. Big things coming from the Lady Bobcats next year. I can’t wait to see what the younger girls bring,” said senior Caroline Samchuck.