The Bobcats are heading back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Bobcats picked up their second section win of the year after a hard fought game against Hopewell September 6. They carried on their winning ways that week when they beat Ellwood City 12-0 September 8.

They kept rolling in section play when they battled it out at Avonworth working hard for a 1-0 victory.

“Once we beat Avonworth we realized the only team standing in our way [of playoffs] was Quaker Valley,” said sophomore Anthony Mrkonja.

The Bobcats kept their win streak alive when they hosted Riverside and beat them 7-0 September 20. Things didn’t quite go their way September 22 when they suffered a hard fought loss at the hands (or is that feet?) of Quaker Valley 2-0.

The Bobcats looked to start the following week on a good note against rivals Central Valley in a non-section game September 26, but lost a tough game 5-1.

They bounced back quickly though against Mohawk with a 3-0 win September 27 then ended the week playing the Hopewell Vikings on senior night with another 3-0 win punching a ticket to the playoffs in the process September 29.

October 3 the Bobcats faced another rival when they played Blackhawk in a non-section game winning 4-1. Then October 4 they pummeled Ellwood City 16-0 including a hat trick by Kyle Carlsen. The Bobcats also saw five players score their first varsity goals of the season.

The next game was at North Hills October 8 a non-section match-up against a quad-A school which saw the Bobcats fall 4-2.

October 11 the Bobcats picked up a big section win at home 1-0 against Avonworth. Evan Baker scored the lone goal in the Bobcats’ key win. They carried the momentum into a 4-1 win in their last section game October 13 against Riverside. Then they wrapped up the regular season with a loss against OLSH October 18.

The Bobcats opened the playoffs with a dominating 8-2 win October 24 over Brownsville. Senior Jameson Bonnar netted a remarkable four goals in the game.

Next up the Bobcats travelled to Shady Side Academy October 27 in the WPIAL quarterfinals. The Bobcats secured a resilient win after a 1-1 tie led to a penalty kick tiebreaker. The Cats outshot the Bulldogs 7-6. Senior Robert Cestra had the game winning save in a dominant performance to lift the Bobcats to an upset win on the road sending them to the semifinals against Quaker Valley tonight!

Check the next BASD ECHO to read about remainder of postseason play.