Fall brings the start of the new school year, leaves turning colors, sweater weather, and of course—girls soccer.
The Beaver Area High School girls soccer team returns to the pitch with high hopes and an experienced team.
In the 2020-2021 school year, the Bobcats ended their season 2-6-3. Despite early hope that their season would go far, the season unfortunately ended after their brief playoff run.
This year the expectations are high again and led by their senior captains Caroline Samchuck, Julia Pizzella, and Sara Majors, the ladies intend to have a better run.
The experienced girls under the direction of Coach Nick Crivelli and Assistant Coach Grant Mundy started the season on a great note beating Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School 4-1 in a home scrimmage August 28. Sophomore Katie Reap and Samchuck each scored one goal while sophomore Marina Hahn netted two goals for the Bobcats.
The lady Bobcats tried keeping the wins coming in their scrimmage against West Allegheny September 1, but ended in a 1-1 tie with the lady Indians after senior Jadyn Elliott scored the lone goal for the Bobcats.
“When I saw [freshman] Lilia [Battalini] about to play the ball to the corner, I just made the run and I didn’t expect to actually shoot the ball until I saw no one was in for the cross. I didn’t think my angle was good, but the ball went into the corner and everyone crowded around me in excitement,” exclaimed Elliott about her goal.
For the next couple of days the girls planned to work hard at practices to fix their gameplay, but due to a COVID outbreak at the school all athletics were put on hold until September 7. Despite the couple day break, the Bobcats returned strong and took a decisive 9-0 victory over Sewickley Academy September 7.
Samchuck led the team with a hat-trick alongside freshmen Battalini and Emerson Connelly, sophomore Hahn, juniors Abby Noah and Hailey Tooch, and senior Majors who all scored single goals for the Bobcats.
With just 24 hours to regain their strength, the girls kept their win streak alive with a 7-0 victory over Winchester Thurston September 8. Despite the power going out mid-game and causing a nearly 30 minute delay, the girls secured the win early. Freshman Sydney Chontos had a hat-trick and was also awarded the player of the game. Connelly wasn’t too far behind with two goals, and juniors Noah and Kat Eck each had a goal.
“I was very excited to be playing in my first high school games, and the hat-trick made it like a real-fantasy. I could not have done it without my amazing teammates and all their hard work. We all work so well together; I look forward to a great season,” shared Chontos.
The Bobcats played their first section game September 11 against Hopewell High School and won 2-0 to remain undefeated. Connelly and Majors scored for the girls, and Connelly was awarded player of the match. A special thank you to the JROTC color guard for displaying the colors at mid-field during the national anthem and to choir director Mrs. Susan Metelsky for singing the national anthem.
Every year the girls have their toughest competition with Quaker Valley High School. The teams always have an even skill level and have managed to end their games in a tie every time for the past 3 years—but this year is different.
September 14 the Bobcats took on the Quakers in an away game. Eck scored early for the Bobcats, but it wasn’t too long for the QV girls to equalize. With 2 minutes remaining in the game it appeared the girls would be heading to another dreaded overtime with QV, but sophomore Maddie Boser scored off a free kick from Chontos to win the game for the Bobcats 2-1!
“It was really great to break the tie and score the winning goal in a hard fought game against QV. They’re one of our toughest opponents, and I think we were all so excited to beat them and not have to go into overtime,” shared Boser.
The JV team also brought home the win for the Bobcats 6-0 over QV. Goals by Connelly, Battalini who had 2, and Hahn who scored a hat-trick ensured the Bobcat victory.
A special congratulations also goes to Samchuck for being voted the Beaver County Times’ Girls Athlete of the Week!
In yet another tough game, the Bobcats took on the alleged number-one AA girls soccer team in the state. North Catholic High School always brings tough competition, but September 16 the Bobcats were prepared.
The girls took the early lead 1-0 over the Trojans, goal by Hahn, but the North Catholic girls came back to score three to leave the Bobcats with a 3-1 loss. Unfortunately the hard work and the girls’ determination the entire game was not reflected on the scoreboard. Player of the match was Tooch for being a shutdown defender.
This week, the lady Bobcats take on Avonworth High School tonight away, varsity at 6 p.m. and JV at 7:30 p.m., and Ambridge High School Wednesday at home for senior night at 7:30 p.m. Senior night festivities start at 6:15 p.m., so come out and help celebrate our nine seniors!