Bentworth offense explodes in final 60 minutes
The Bentworth boys remained unbeaten after trailing early at Greensburg Central Catholic.
Near the midway point of the first half, the Bearcats trailed 1-0 before exploding for seven unanswered goals to roll to the win over their section rival.
“It was fantastic to see our team rebound back after going down,” Bentworth coach Nick Malarbi said. “To see our guys dig in and focus on our game was incredible.”
Ryan Moessner finished the game with a hat trick and Adam Moessner added five goals for the Bearcats (11-0, 5-0). Andrew Vipperman and Austin Hollier were the other goal scorers for Bentworth.
“We didn’t have to make too many adjustments tonight,” Malarbi said. “Simply just help the kids believe what we do works.”
Malarbi touted the pressure caused by the head of the Bearcats’ snake – Billy Moyer, Adam Moessner and Dillan Colbert, as they constantly played up-tempo and maintained control against the GCC (3-4-1, 3-2) defense.
“They kept steady pressure on them all night. We had a ton of scoring opportunities,” Malarbi said. “I’m proud of how hard the team remained focused and played.”
Both Moessner brothers, DJ Hays, Colbert, Vipperman and Gaige Davenport had assists for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats can clinch at least a share of the section title with a win Tuesday over Chartiers-Houston up on the hill.
Ringgold 2, Laurel Highlands 0
The Rams (7-4-1, 6-2-1) were led by goals from Aidyn Whaley and Cody Scheponik as they picked up a Section 2-3A win over the Mustangs (4-6-1, 3-6) Thursday.
Sam Alvarez and Nick Evans picked up assists for Ringgold.
The Rams travel to Trinity Tuesday.
Thomas Jefferson 2, Bethel Park 1
The Jaguars rallied from a 1-0 deficit at the half to stun the Black Hawks (7-3, 7-2) in a Section 2-3A match.
Evan Olson picked up the game-tying goal for TJ before Jake Shoemaker tallied the gamewinner. Brayden Miller had an assist for the Jaguars (7-1-2, 6-1-2).
Max LeMessurier had the opening goal for Bethel Park.
The Jaguars host Albert Gallatin Tuesday.
Aquinas Academy 3, Serra Catholic 2 (2OT)
Caden Bauer and Luke Perez each scored for the Eagles (2-10, 2-4), but Aquinas (7-3, 4-2) pulled out a double-overtime win at The Nest.
Nate Loughner finished with seven saves for Serra Catholic.
The Eagles travel to Bishop Canevin Tuesday.
Allderdice 6, West Mifflin 1
Cooper Hilligsberg scored the lone goal for the Titans (2-6, 2-5) in a loss to the Dragons (6-3-1, 4-2-1) in a Section 3-3A match.
West Miffin hosts Penn-Trafford Tuesday.
In other boys’ soccer action Thursday: South Fayette shut out McKeesport, 6-0; McGuffey handed South Allegheny a 5-0 loss; Yough beat Brownsville, 2-1; California beat Chartiers-Houston, 3-1, for its first win of the season.
In the lone girls game, Yough dealt Hempfield a 3-1 loss.
No information or statistics were reported on those games.
Volleyball South Allegheny 3, Carlynton 2
The Gladiators avoided the upset at the hand of the Cougars (5-5, 3-5), picking up a thrilling five-set win Thursday.
South Allegheny won by scores of 25-7, 24-26, 25-23, 19-25, 1511.
Regan McBeth (15) and Ally Chizmar (10) combined for 25 kills to lead the offense for the Gladiators (11-3, 7-1). Alexis Bartrug added eight kills and five blocks. Ava Chizmar led the service game with seven aces.
The Gladiators travel to Keystone Oaks Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Ringgold 3, Elizabeth Forward 1
The Rams (9-2, 6-1) beat the Warriors (3-9, 2-5) in a Section 3-3A contest Thursday.
Stats were not available at press time.
Ringgold travels to rival Belle Vernon Tuesday while the Warriors will host Plum Monday.
Cross country Boys Belle Vernon 19, Steel Valley 32 Belle Vernon 15, Southmoreland 50 Belle Vernon 15, Brownsville 50 The Leopards boys and girls both rolled to sweeps over the Ironmen, Southmoreland and Brownsville in a section quad-meet Thursday at Southmoreland’s course.
Belle Vernon’s top performer was sophomore Leonidas Soto.
The Leopards are back at it Tuesday at home against Calvary Chapel and Greensburg Central Catholic
