Could it be fall without the boys soccer team? Well, yeah, but it sure doesn’t hurt to have them around.

Their season started off in a non-standard sort of way, with their first game being an out-of-section exhibition against Freedom High School September 9 where they understandably crushed Freedom, winning 6-1.

Unfortunately, not every game can be out of your section, and the team received what junior Krystof Purtell described as “a thumping,” losing 7-0 in an away game against West Allegheny September 14.

Despite this defeat, coach Scott Hazuda remained optimistic about the team's overall chances for the season.

"I expect us to be very competitive the rest of the season and hope we can get back to the playoffs," Coach Hazuda stated.

Additionally, in a surprising upset, Beaver Area beat Moon 1-0 on Moon's home turf September 16. This victory was assisted by an unfortunate error on Moon's part in which their goal was invalidated due to them being offside.

Offside aside, the game was ultimately won by Beaver Area's superior play according to Coach Hazuda.

"[We] outplayed one of the best teams [in the section]," Coach Hazuda said.

Thanks to rigorous health and safety precautions such as players wearing masks while not on the field, the team has managed to stay healthy giving them still another advantage in the new season.

With a 1-1 record so far, Purtell has high hopes for his team's chances this year.

“I think we'll do a lot better. Our team got a lot better while a lot of other ones got worse,” Purtell said.

The team’s veteran goalie and captain senior Tyler Haczela says the team has only one goal for this season.

"Our aspiration for this year is to make playoffs," Haczela said.

The team's other captains are seniors Benjamin Porto, Noah Bowser, and Ethan Gengerella.

Captain Haczela also said that the team has a bright future thanks to the addition of underclassmen with great potential.

"[Freshmen] Porter Oberg and Kyle Carlsen were double rostered this year because they were showing massive potential for the future, but I see great potential from every freshman on this team," Haczela said.

Make sure to check the next ECHO to see if this bold prediction holds up, and to see the results of the game against the dastardly Central Valley!