In a season of struggle, the Beaver Area High School girls soccer team finally got the wins they deserve.
The lady Bobcats celebrated their only senior this year September 28. Captain Maegan Martin was announced with the boys soccer team seniors on their senior night.
Despite the celebration, the girls started the week on a rough note losing to the Montour High School Spartans in a non-section game 6-0 September 29.
But just when the ladies needed it most, they found the success they were looking for.
In an unusual back-to-back matchup against the Hopewell High School Vikings October 1 and October 3, the girls emerged victorious winning 1-0 in both games.
“I think we played extremely hard and we were definitely the team that deserved to win both games. Those games kept our season alive, and it was such a confidence booster to finally come together as a team and pull off a couple of wins. Both offensively and defensively we were able to find a rhythm to clear the ball and work it into their half [of the field],” shared sophomore Ana Avdellas.
The team also started a new tradition this season: MVP of the game. October 1 the MVP of the game was junior Caroline Samchuck, and October 3 the MVP was junior Elstasia Ray.
Next the girls played the Quaker’s of Quaker Valley High School October 5. The lady Bobcats were eager to add another win to their record to head towards a playoff spot, but instead came out in a tiring 0-0 double overtime tie. The game MVP was sophomore Abigail Noah.
“I thought, as a team, we played well again Quaker Valley. We played composed and I think we definitely could have won. Even thought it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, I think overall it was a success for the team,” reflected sophomore Hailey Tooch.
Two days later, the girls played North Catholic High School, but unfortunately the North Catholic girls came out on top. While the lady Bobcats did not win, they had a very good game against the Trojans. Junior Julia Pizzella was the game MVP.
“I think this time around the team played so much better against North Catholic. They weren’t expecting us to play like we played either, which gave us some confidence for the last part of our season,” said Noah.
For the second time, the lady Bobcats faced the Bridgers of Ambridge High School in a home game October 14. In another nail biting double overtime, the game ended in a 1-1 tie. Senior Maegan Martin was the game MVP.
“I feel like [the game] was definitely a fight for our lives. We gave it our all and kept going even when we felt exhausted,” shared junior Elstasia Ray. “Overall, I’m very proud of the team.”
In a non-section game against Freedom High School October 15, the lady Bobcats emerged victorious 2-1 after a hard fought game against the Bulldogs. The MVP of the game was junior Sara Majors.
“All together the team played amazingly. We had a rocky start to the season, but we are finally starting to come together and making the correct plays. Emily [Szczesny] and I were able to score because we played smarter and not panicked. I’m really proud of everyone and excited to see what happens next game,” said junior Jadyn Elliott proudly.
October 17 the girls faced Avonworth High School in a hard fought battle for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, a 1-0 loss in overtime conclude the girls’ season. Avdellas was the game MVP.
“I am so proud of our girls and how they battled to the last game of the season for a playoff spot. We took an undefeated Avonworth team to overtime and lost on a questionable PK call. We were so close this year where only literally one goal held us back from being in the playoffs,” reflected head coach Nick Crivelli. “I feel bad for our only senior, Maegan Martin, as this is her last shot to make playoffs, but she played so well all year and I’m extremely proud of the leader she was for our young team.”
“Next year we will have ten of our 11 starters returning, along with a lot of experience off the bench, so we won’t go down without a fight,” predicted Coach Crivelli.