With some star players leaving the team and some new freshmen joining, Coach John Mohrbacher and assistant coaches had to train what was an entirely new look of the boys soccer team. From new coaches to new players, this season could be difficult for even the hardest working players this season.
The team had a series of scrimmage games over the preseason to help the players prepare for the section. The boys played scrimmages against Chartiers Houston, Hopewell and Beaver. They fought hard during the matches, but the most important aspect was developing team bonding and chemistry. Even though these previously stated aspects are important, playing hard and winning is equally desired. The team ended the preseason scrimmages with a record of 2-1, boosting the morale of the team heading into the beginning of the season.
The team played a friendly game on Aug. 28 to prepare for the section, with the game being away against Carlynton. The team played hard and hustled during the game, and they fortunately ended the match with a win, 3-1. This win was not only a confidence boost, but the players gained experience and skills.
The boys continued to work hard starting their first section game, but Our Lady of the Sacred Heart proved to be formidable oppenents on Aug. 29. In the end, the Bulldogs came up short, but they left the field with their spirits high, ready for the next match.
The team faced Neshannock on Aug. 31 for their second section game of the season. They tried to make up for their first loss, but unfortunately lost for a second time.
The team was meant to play a home game against Beaver on Sept. 2, but the match was cancelled due to weather conditions. This gave the team a good amount of time to recollect themselves and prepare for the upcoming match.
The team faced Eden Christian on Sept. 7, but unfortunately ended the game with a score of 3-0. The team played hard during the game, developing their chemistry even further.
“We’re doing good, we’re competing. It’s just we need to get up when we’re down by goals and keep pushing through, even if we’re down,” said sophmore Boden Hilliard. “We just aren’t doing how we would like to and we’re coming up short every game.”
The teams next game would be at home against Beaver County Christian School on Sept. 12. This was one of the closest games yet, going into overtime because of a goal scored just before the end of the second half. A goal was scored by freshman Matt Hasslett, pretty early in the game, giving the bulldogs a 1-0 lead. This lead carried on for most of the game, until the end of the second half. The score was tied, forcing the game into overtime. Both teams played for an additional 20 minutes, each fighting competitively for the win. Unfortunately, the bulldogs lost an extremely close game, but this was evidence that they are improving and playing harder after learning lessons from every game.
New Head Coach John Mohrbacher, who previously coached junior high, has kept a positive attitude throughout the season so far. “It hasn’t gone the way I wanted it to or pictured, but the boys are working hard and we’re competing every game,” said Mohrbacher. “We’re just inexperienced and we’re learning lots of lessons. Tough ones, but we’re learning.”