What a season for both the boys and girls soccer team.

There have been both high and lows all season, but both teams were able to clinch playoff spots.

The boys team made playoffs for the second year in a row, and the girls made it to playoffs for the fourth year in a row; the first time a girls graduating class has made it to playoffs all four years since the class of 2014.

The boys playoff game took place October 23 at Shadyside Academy. Our boys were the 11th seed and Shadyside was the 6th seed.

The game was intense, and this time I’m not even overly exaggerating when I say intense.

Half of the game was stopped for a referee to give out a card or a player to argue a play. The game got so crazy that the referee had to tell Beaver Area parents to calm down.

Shadyside came out very strong after the Bobcats knocked them out of playoffs last year in a PK shootout. Unfortunately, we lost quite a few more players from last year than Shadyside since most of their starters were returning starters from last season.

“I think we played to the best of our abilities, but in the end it just came down to experience,” said senior Porter Oberg.

Our boys put up a crazy fight the entire game and definitely did not give up at any point.

In the end, our boys lost the game 3-0 which also knocked them out of playoffs.

The very next day, October 24, the girls soccer team took the pitch in their playoff game against Freeport. Our girls were the 13th seed and Freeport was the 4th seed.

Throughout the game the girls were tested over an over again, but our girls managed to play even with the school at a much higher seed.

Our girls had 30 shots with 18 on goal while Freeport had only 10 shots with 6 on goal.

Unfortunately, Freeport had more luck on their side when they won 2-1 to our cats.

“I feel like we could have been more aggressive and less nervous because we couldn’t produce a win,” said sophomore Lyra Kulman.

Our lone goal was scored by the one and only junior Lilia Battalini.

Junior Alison Carson reflected on the game, “It was a tough game but everyone gave their all; especially the seniors.”

Even though both teams were knocked out first round, both of their seasons were successful nonetheless.

The boys had a 9-7-0 overall record, and the girls had a 9-7-1 overall record. Both teams had a 56 percent win record.

Both the boys and girls had some of their players recognized as All-Section players and All-WPIAL players.

For the boys, seniors Kyle Carlson, Porter Oberg, and Evan Baker were named both All-Section and All-WPIAL. Sophomore Caleb Kullen got an All-Section honorable mention.

For the girls sophomore Ana Hahn; juniors Sydney Chontos, Lilia Battalini, and Emerson Connelly; and senior Marina Hahn all were awarded All-Section. M. Hahn and Chontos were named All-WPIAL.