Looking to get further than last year, the boys soccer team got to the second round of playoffs, successfully meeting their goal. In the second round of playoffs, however, their season was brought to an end. What got them there?
For their last game in September on the 30th, the team faced off against South Side, away from home. In an easy win for the boys’, they defeated the Rams in a landslide, 11-1. Senior captain Tyler Mohrbacher had a successful night, leading the team with four goals.
The team would next head to North Catholic, where they would face defeat, with a score of 7-1. Senior Thomas Young scored the lone goal for the team. However, the team rematched North Catholic on Oct. 3 for their next game at home. This game ended much differently, as the Bulldogs overcame their last defeat and won 3-2 against the Trojans.
“The most exciting moment of the season without a doubt was beating North Catholic,” senior Steven Buerkle said. “It was always just a goal and after falling to them days before, it felt really good.”
Moving forward with another win under their belts, the team travelled to Sewickley Academy on Oct. 5 for their first of three away games. In a tough game, the boys secure didn’t another victory, falling short with a score of 2-1.
Looking to improve in their next game, the boys went on to face the Quaker Valley Quakers on Oct. 10. After being unable to contain the Quakers, the team faced another loss for the season, losing 9-2.
Continuing their trip on the road and looking to break their losing streak, the team faced Blackhawk on Oct. 12. Like the previous two games, the Bulldogs weren’t able to overcome the Cougars and faced another defeat, losing 3-1 against Blackhawk.
Returning for their last home game of the season on Oct. 14, the boys’ team planned to make their senior night a win. Before their game or the girls game, the team recognized the senior’s hard work they had put in over the years they had played. Underclassman presented each senior player with a soccer ball and a letter. Breaking their losing streak, the boys’ finally got a win over BCCS in a close game, 3-2.
To finish off the regular season, the team headed to Beaver to take on the Bobcats on Oct. 16. The Bulldogs ultimately fell to the Bobcats 3-1. This didn’t shake the team, however, as they headed into playoffs. Going into the playoffs, the team was tied for second in the section with a section record of 9-3.
Starting their playoff run, the team headed to Norwin on Oct. 19 to take on their first opponent: Southmoreland. In a blowout for the Bulldogs, they effortlessly defeated the Scotties 7-0.
Their next game, however, did not go so smoothly. The team travelled North Alleghany to take on South Park for what would be the Bulldog’s final game of the season. In a very close game, the Bulldogs fell 1-0 in overtime.
“I think in the first game [of the playoffs], we did really well connecting with one anotherand we were able to move the ball, which led to goals,” Buerkle said. “In the second game, we were just not able to find the same connections.”
Though the team is done for the season, the underclassmen look forward to next season to make it even farther than they did this year. Though they will be without this year’s seniors, they will take their place to continue the team’s winning attitude and record.