Bentworth clinches playoff spot

With Monday’s 8-2 win over California, Bentworth clinched a postseason berth for the 14th time in 15 years.

The Bentworth girls soccer team kept pace with Chartiers-Houston at the top of the Section 2-1A standings with an 8-2 rout of visiting California on a damp, slick surface at Bentworth Athletic Field Monday night.

With the win, the Bearcats (101, 5-1) clinched a playoff spot for the 14th time in 15 seasons.

Bentworth wasted no time filling the net, starting the scoring off just 20 seconds in when Bella Moyer buried a shot past Trojans keeper Ashley Volosin.

“That was important,” Bentworth head coach Tyler Hamstra said. “Getting the quick start and then pile it on quickly. We haven’t been able to do that a lot this year. We’ve scored early goals, but that was big for us.”

The front of the Bearcats’ attack was too strong for the California defense as they put up seven goals in the opening 40 minutes and five in the opening 20.

The Bearcats led 7-2 at the half and uncorked 21 shots at the net. Of those, 15 were on goal and Volosin made nine saves.

“We probably could have had a few more, but their keeper made some really good saves,” Hamstra said. “They’re probably going to be a playoff team and there were some shots there that I wish we had a little bit more of a hit on. I thought it was good for Brielle (Dillon) to get started quickly.”

Dillon, Madelyn Johns, Brina Orsatti, Emme Orsatti each had first-half goals for Bentworth. Moyer added a second before halftime.

“It’s really nice to have that balanced scoring. I liked that we got that third one because no one is really coming back from that. Then we were able to get some more.,” Hamstra added. “It’s been pretty balanced the whole year, this could be the most-balanced group I’ve ever had here. But, they’re also young. So I think the balance in the whole team in general is a strength for us.”

After a series of substitutions by the Bearcats, the Trojans were finally able to get on the board with two long blasts.

Lauren Hartley had the first goal for the Trojans (3-5-1, 2-31) after ripping a blast from 41 yards out over the reach of Bearcats keeper Nita Anderson.

“Six minutes later, the other Hartley twin, Leah blasted a shot from 32 yards out in nearly the same spot as her sister.”

“Our defense was backed off, and I think Nita (Anderson) was out a little bit,” Hamstra said. “They have some talented girls over there and we can’t let them get those shots off.”

In between the Hartley goals, Megan Keturakis picked up a goal for the Bearcats’ seventh.

In the second half, the field was still tilted in the Bearcats’ favor but the Trojans did create some more offensive opportunities.

Julia Brandau, who played in goal after the half, combined with Anderson for four saves.

Bentworth finished the contest with 26 shots on goal. Volosin had 18 saves on the night.

California finished with eight shots, four on goal.

“We said during our walkthrough last night that there are no trap games,” Hamstra said. “You just play one game, you respect everyone you have in front of you. That’s the only thing you worry about at that point. Clinching our playoff spot, we knew we had to do that tonight. So, that was a big one.”

The Bearcats are back in section play Wednesdsay on the road at Brownsville. The Trojans will host Beth-Center. With a win over their rivals, California will clinch a playoff spot in the first year of the program’s return.

Jenn Codeluppi / MVI Sports