Bearcats remain unbeaten with win over Falcons

The Bentworth girls’ soccer team dominated the possession and took care of business in the offensive zone to continue their winning ways this season with a 3-1 triumph over Brownsville Wednesday in Section 2-1A action on “the Hill” at Ellsworth Athletic Field.

The Bearcats (5-0, 2-0) has displayed some solid play in the early part of the fall, despite only having one senior on their roster. Some of their wins this season include Albert Gallatin, Southmoreland, Belle Vernon and Waynesburg.

“We are happy to be undefeated, but we know the season is a long one and it will get tougher for us,” Bentworth coach Tyler Hamstra said. “I do not love everything I saw tonight, but it is a section win and the girls did not get frustrated on the offensive end after missing some good chances. It is part of the process when it comes to a young team scoring goals consistently at the varsity level.”

It was all Bearcats on the night, especially in the first half as the home team collected all 17 shots on net and controlled possession throughout the opening 40 minutes.

Belle Moyer had Bentworth’s first quality chance seven minutes into the contest, as the sophomore took a free kick from 21 yards out, but the shot was corralled by Brownsville’s keeper Ava Rohland.

In a span of two minutes, the home team added two more scoring chances when Megan Keturakis’ shot went wide and Brynn Dillon’s attempt was too high around the 28th and 27th minute.

Moyer was in close on a soft touch at the 19th minute mark of the first half, but once again the visitors’ goalie stood tall with a save.

The Bearcats finally cashed in at the 17:53 mark when Moyer’s initial shot clanged off the post, and Keturakis was there to collect the rebound and boot it high into the net for the 1-0 advantage.

Brielle Dillon and Moyer had some nice shots in the final 12 minutes of the opening half, but neither shot found the back of the net. Bentworth dominated the play, but only led Brownsville 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, the Falcons (0-4-1, 0-2-1) got the first solid chance in the attacking zone after a pass by Alexa Lewandowsky went to Ramielle Grayson for a mini, breakaway, but the Bearcats’ defense quickly stormed the chance and thwarted any shot on net.

After Madelyn Johns clanked one off the crossbar for Bentworth in the 34th minute, Brielle Dillon had an inside try that was stopped by Rohland.

Moyer, who was around the ball the whole night on corner kicks and breakaways, finally secured a goal after a hard-shot from 13 yards out went into the net with 33:20 left in regulation for a 2-0 lead.

“Bella is the total package,” Hamstra said. “Her athleticism is what set her apart. She is tall and she is quick. We have a lot of different attackers on the team this season. I think we have one kid that is our best shooter, we have another that is our toughest, we have one that is our fastest and so on. All those girls can bring something to the table.”

Brownsville tallied their first shot of the game six minutes later when Lewandowsky uncorked a long shot that was easily saved by Bentworth’s keeper Nita Anderson.

Despite being young up front, the Bearcats have some experienced defenders in the back end and that include juniors Jesse Laskey, Meredith Allender, Makayla Jackson and Emma Lusk.

“Defensively, that is where we are a little bit older in age,” Hamstra said. “I like our depth in the back end and the girls know our system. They know what to expect at the high school level and they have lived through those tough moments. When the game is not as open as you like, you must find your spots and work hard on defense. It is not always easy.”

The Bearcats grabbed an insurance marker at 23:16 when Brielle Dillon came down the sidelines and put a good foot on a shot that got past the visitors’ keeper.

Rohland was busy all night for the visitors and finished the contest with 17 saves. On the night, Bentworth unleashed a total of 31 shots.

The Falcons avoided the shutout late when Elizabeth McClune scored with 6:47 left in the contest.

Up next for Bentworth is a key week when it comes to Section 2-1A action, as they host Beth-Center Monday and travels to Chartiers-Houston Wednesday.

After the Buccaneers 2-0 loss to Waynesburg last night, the Bearcats are the lone squad in the section with an unblemished record.

“We are always learning on the field and I like how these girls are always looking to respond,” Hamstra said. “They do not put their heads down and quit. They want to work. Char-Houston is a big one for us. That is a great rivalry and we must be ready to play. The key for us going forward is can we make more patient decisions in the final third and be able to finish goals.”