The first introduction of soccer in our area was from the imigrants in the surrounding Coal Mining towns. This was the general trend for most soccer in South Western PA. Scottish imigrants brought it to Cokeburg in the 1930s. Here is a 1935 photo of the Cokeburg Soccer Team.
Ellsworth also had a coal mining team. Ellsworth is often lead by player-manager Walter "War Horse" Magera pictured above on the left. Magera was on several Loca, regional and national level teams in the Pittsburgh Area. These clubs included McKnight Beverage, Castle Shannon WW Riehland Gallatin Tigers. Captain and manager of the Ellsworth Coalmen before the World War. After WWII Magera would start the Bentleyville Vikings a club that shared the name with the local Bentleyville Baseball team. Magera would again return to Ellsworth where he lead his most successful team as manager. Teh 1952 Ellsworth club would have several players from the former National Open Cup Champions Gallatin Tigers. Magera lead Ellsworth to one of the biggest upsets in the entire country when they defeated Harmarville in 1952 Amateur . Harmarville would eventaully win the biggest cup in the nation winning the US Open Cup. The Ellworth Coalmen would be the most successful coal mining team in our area.
First Youth Soccer Team in Bentworth Area - Bentleyville Soccer Association - Now BAYSA Bentworth Area Youth Soccer Association.
The Bentleyville Telephone Company Phone Book. Various BAYSA Soccer Aparel, equipment and sourveniors from the early BAYSA days late 1980s and early 1990s.
!990-1991 Inaugural Bentwoth High School Boys Soccer Team.
English teacher Neal Baker would be the first Coach in program history.
Craige Pysh, the first top goal scorer in school history. Pysh was one of the members of the talented 1994 graduating soccer class. This was the first class in school history to play all 4 years of Bentworth High School Soccer. Pysh finished his career with 23 career goals and helped lead the Bearcats to a 7-8 record his senior year. The best record of the 1990s.
The 1990s was a tough decade for the Bearcats. Wins came at a premium. One of those reasons was the pure dominance of Charleroi Cougars. Charleroi closed out the decade with 5 straight section championships. In fall of 1994 the Bearcats would enjoy the biggest victory to date when they upset Charleroi in overtime. Captain James Norquist scored the game winnner.
Two years later in 1996 Captain JW Stehle would help lead the Bearcats past Charleroi again. With the help of fellow attackers Cory Rodriguez and Alan Crow the trio scored crucial goals to win at Cougar Stadium for 2nd time in 3 seasons. Bentworth would not beat Charleroi again until 2004 season.
As the World started a new Millenium in 2000 WPIAL soccer would have a few changes. For the first time in WPIAL history boys soccer would adopt a 3rd classification. Single A boys soccer would start in the fall of 2000. Despite being somewhat on the decline perenial local powerhouse Charleroi was still a force to be reckon with. The new section would also bring in Chartiers Houston an up incoming program loaded with talent. Beth Center the usual runners up the past few seasons were also strong. This would make the early 2000s very competitive. Two of the weaker programs in the section also were on the rise. Monessen Greyhounds and Bentworth Bearcats, although a few years away from high level competing were making big strides.
the 2003-2004 Bentworth Bearcats had a very strong season. For the first time Bentworth competed on a more consistent basis with Charleroi and Chartiers Houston. The Bearcats finished with first winning season in school history going 9-6. The biggest win of program history took place when Bakers Bearcats beat Chartiers Houston in double OT 2-1. Chartiers Houston was previously undefeated in section plan for the 3 previous seasons. Senior forward Trenton Mitchell scored a brace including the game winner. A week later a heartbreaking loss to Monessen Greyhounds would see Bentworths playoffs hopes come to an end while the Greyhounds would qualify for the WPIAL tournament for first time in school history.
The Bearcats were regularly splitting games with Chartiers Houston and Monessen Greyhounds. They also started to surpass Charleroi and Beth Center. Unfortunately South Fayette entered the section and became another tough team to contend with.
Tyler Hamstra scored the game winner and had an assist in a 3-1 victory against Charleroi. The first time in almost a decade. It was also the first victory over the Cougars at Ellsworth. A year later Hamstra would lead a young Bearcat team to finally sweep Charleroi. Hamstra would also score to beat Chartiers Houston for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. A game winner home VS Monessen would keep the Bearcats top of the section with South Fayette for first part of section play.
Several indiviual records fell from 2004-2006. Keeper Brett Naddeo would finish his career with the most saves, starts, and shutouts in school history. Hamstra would end his career with career goas, assists and points. The duo for a short time held every major keeping and attacking record for the program.
October 2005 Head Coach Neal Baker and wife Yvonne Baker with 2005-2006 Senior Class. Neal Bakers last game before retirement. Bentworth won 5-2 over Beth Center.
Gary Amos, the current first assistant for the boys basketball team would become the 2nd Head Coach for the program. Amos, a Beth Center graduate was one of the best Bulldog soccer players in school history. He was the starting goalkeeper for Slippery Rock University before becoming one of the best kickers in school history for California University of Pennsylvania. Amos would bring on former Bulldog teammate Mark Nesto and former Bearcat soccer alumnist Tyler Hamstra.
The 2007-2008 team started the season of with two huge wins in the Canon Mac Labor Day Kick off Tournament. A very athletic Bearcat squad beat McGuffey 2-1 in OT in the first round game than beat the host Big Macs 2-1 in the Championship game.
Jon Kennedy helped lead the Bearcats to the first WPIAL Playoff appearance and Section Championship. Kennedy destroyed past teammate Tyler Hamstra scoring and point record. Kennedy lead the WPIAL in scoring with 43 goals. His career mark of 85 career still holds up as school record. Kennedy would become the first player to be named All WPIAL. He was also the first Bearcat to be named Section MVP.
2007 Class A Section Champions. First Section Championship and playoff appearance in school history. Bentworth defeated Charleroi 8-0 to knock the Cougars out of the playoffs. A few days later the Bearcats beat Beth Center 11-2 to win the section title outright.
Captain Nick Malarbi would become the schools all time assist leader in fall 2010. The senior midfielder/forward served in free kick to fellow teammate Joe Molek in OT at Honus Wagner Memorial Stadium. The assist gave the Bearcats their first win VS Carlynton Cougars.
From 2009-2011 the Bearcats would finish twice as section runner up and a 3rd place finish. Leading the Bearcats to 3 WPIAL Playoff appearances were two of the top players in the section. Midfielder Joe Molek would finish 2nd in Section MVP honors in 2010. A year later forward JT Paterini would be named the 2nd Section MVP in school history. The pair were named the 2nd and 3rd players in school history to be named to the All WPIAL team.
2011 would also be a big year for a keeper. Keeper Gannon Walls-Mitchell would surpass Brett Naddeo/Scott Day for career shutouts, shutouts in a season and career wins. Walls-Mitchell would finish his high school career as WPSCA All Star Game MVP.
2012 Class A Section IV Undefeated Champions.
After 3 years of nearly clinching the 2nd Section Championship in School History the Bearcats would win the Class A Section IV Championship going 12-0, a perfect undefeated season.
The 2012-13 squad was lead by a very talented class. Leading the class was Section MVP Nick McCann and Section MVP runner up defender Jimmy Liermann. The pair were also named to the All WPIAL team. Liermann one of the top defenders in school history was a big reason for perfect play throughout section play.
McCann picked up right where Paterini left off. McCann lead WPIAL in scoring in his senior campaign. The biggest goal came in a 5-4 comeback victory at Monessen in double OT. McCann was paired with classmate Cody Levine. The strike partnership is still arguably the best scoring combination for the Bearcats.
2015-2016 Season would be a special year. It would be the 25th Season of Boys High School Soccer. For the Silver Jubilee the boys program would celebrate with a special Alumni Game and would name a Quarter Century Team. The team would be chosen by a panel that consisted of past coaches.
2015-2016 WPIAL Class A Section IV Championship. Third title in less than ten years.
In 2015 a week after clinching his 3rd Section Championship, Head Coach Gary Amos earned his 100th victory. Amos reached the century mark with a 2-0 victory of Brownsville.
October 2015 Bentworth defeated defending WPIAL Champions Winchester Thurston 2-1 at Upper St. Clair. It gave the Bearcats their first post season victory in school history.
Chad Gurdish the 2015 Class A Section IV Player of the Year/Section MVP added to his very successful season when he scored a brace to seal a 2-1 victory over Winchester Thurston. Gurdish became the 4th player for the program to be named Section MVP. He was also honored as an All WPIAL player. The first 2 time All WPIAL player for the Bearcats.
2016 after finishing the regular season as Class A Section Runner up to Seton Lasalle Bentworth won 2-1 VS Trinity Christian in the WPIAL Playoffs 1st Round at Upper St. Clair. Levi Jordan and Brian Hustava with the goals. Mitchell Loughman was man of the match for his defensive efforts. The Bearcats lost a heartbreaker 1-0 to PIAA State Runner Up Sewickley Academy in WPIAL Quarter Finals.
Jordan was named All WPIAL as a junior and also became the first Section MVP to be named as a Junior. Jordan center midfielder had game winners in 4 games including the home and away victories over Bishop Canevin.
2017 mirrored 2016 as the Bearcats finished section play behind Seton LaSalle. Captain Jake Davis scored a brace against OLSH in the first round of the WPIAL Playoffs. The win put the Bearcats into their 3rd WPIAL Quarter Final appearances in 3 consecuative seasons. The Bearcats lost to PIAA State Runner Up North Catholic in Quarter Finals.
During the 2017 season Wyatt Selvoski became the 3rd leading scorer in school history. He was one of the top scorers in WPIAL and the top scorer in the section. He was named All WPIAL with his efforts.
2018 was a transition year for a young boys team. The boys did record the 200th career victory in program history with a 7-1 victory at California. Junior forward Brian Hustava scored 4 goals in the victory. Hustava would go on to have a very strong junior campaign and named the 9th All WPIAL player in school history.
For the Fall 2019 Season the Boys celebrated the programs 30th Season. The 30th season logo had a 1990s theme to pay homage to the programs early years.
The 2019 boys season was a successful season. The boys had another winning season. They ended the season with a few key victories. Above Josh Ambrose collides with Charleroi’s keeper. The Bearcats upset AA Charleroi at home to end Charleroi’s perfect undefeated season.
2019. Brian Hustava had a very successful season. Hustava became the 2nd all time leading goal scorer in school history with 73 career goals. His 40 goals was best in Class A Section IV were he was runner up for Section Player of the Year. He became the 3rd player in school history to be named to the All WPIAL team for multiple years. To make the season even more special for Hustava, he accomplished these accolades 30 seasons after his father Brian was a senior on the first Bentworth Varsity team. Brian became the first player in school history to graduate from the program as a 2nd generation player.
2020. The boys program would finally break down some barriers. Julian Hays and Jerzy Timlin would score back to back goals to put the Bearcats back into the playoffs for the first time since 2017. It would be the 10th Playoff appearance in school history.
Sophomore Keeper Landon Urcho would become the 10th All WPIAL Player in school history. Urcho was the first keeper in school history to receive the honor. He was also the top keeper in Secion IV Class A and 4th player overall in the Section.
2021 A very memorable season. Early in the campaign the Bearcats had a huge 4-3 victory in Overtime against (at the time) undefeated Charleroi Cougars. Jerzy Timlin scored the game winner in OT. Tucker McMurray was man of the match for his defensive efforts.
The boys would go on a huge win steak in the 21-22 campaign. The Bearcats would only lose 1 game in the entire season. A 13 game win streak.
With a win against Seton Lasalle at home in Ellsworth the boys would win their 4th section title in program history. The Bearcats broke Seton Lasalle Rebels 8 plus consecuative section title streak. The boys would eventually go undefeated in Class A Section IV.
The Junior Trio of Landon Urcho, Jerzy Timlin and Julian Hays were all named to the All WPIAL Team. Urcho become the only keeper in program history to make all WPIAL multiple years. He also moved up to top two all time in career shutouts and shutouts in a single season. Timlin and Hays both moved up to the top Ten All Time Leading Goal Scorers in program history.
The 3 Bearcats would help lead the young team to a WPIAL Quarter Final Appearance after beating Beaver County Christian 1-0 at South Park High School. Julian Hays recorded the game winner. A few days later the boys lost in Overtime 2-1 at Canon Mac High School against Eden Christian Academy an eventual PIAA Semi Finalist. Timlin scored equalizer to push the game to overtime. Urcho was man of the match for another stellar playoff performance.
Gary Amos would be named the Class A Section IV Coach of the Year for the 9th time as well as the Mon Valley Independent Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
2022-2023 Was another succesful year for Landon Urcho. Urcho would help lead the Bearcats to yet another WPIAL Playoff appearance. Urcho would become the All time leader in Shutouts in a single season and shutouts in career for the program. Urcho would again be named to the All WPIAL team.
Jerzy Timlin would also be named to the All WPIAL team as well as Herald Standard Co Player of the Year. Timlin lead the area in goal scoring and would finish his career as the 2nd All time goal leader in program history.
Freshman Ryan Moessner had a big season were he was named the Mon Valley Breakout Male Player of the Year. He also recorded the 2nd most goals as a Freshman in school history and set the school record for most Assists in a single season.
In Winter of 2023 long time head coach Gary Amos would take the head boys job at his Alma Mater, Bethlehem- Center. Amos guided the Bearcats for 17 seasons where he compiled 179 career wins, 12 WPIAL playoff appearances, 4 Section Championships and 10 Section Coach of the year. Amos finishes as the 2nd winningest boys coach in Mon Valley Soccer history, 6th in Washington County boys soccer history and 5th in Bentworth School history.
2011 Graduate Nick Malarbi ,the 1st Assistant would be named the next Head Coach. Malarbi becomes only the 3rd head coach in program history following Neal Baker (1990-2005) and Gary Amos (2006-2022). Malarbi was a standout player for the Bearcats from 2007-2010 were he as a team captain, 3 year All Section and one of the top goals, assist, and points leaders in his generation.
Malarbi would build a staff to help take the Bearcats into the next generation. He would retain former Bearcat boys first assistants Matt Antanovich who has been on staff since 2014 and Tyler Hamstra who has been on staff since 2006. Antanovich would help the team as an assistant and strength and conditioning coach. Hamstra, also long term head girls coach would continue helping the boys as assistant.
Coach Malarbi would also bring on Matt Moessner as his first assistant. Moessner brought a decade of experience as BAYSA club president as well as 10 plus years of coaching club and middle school. Brad Colbert, the long term middle school head coach would also join the varsity staff.
The Bearcats woulds become one of the fastest programs in the try county to reach 250 victories. The win came early in the season against Washington-Fort Cherry-Burgettstown Coop at Prexie Stadium in a 7-0 win.
The Bearcats would finish the regular season 16-2. The only losses would come to Section II Champion and neighboring rival Charleroi Cougars. The Bearcats would be lead by a strong 29 man roster. Ryan Colbert, John Scott, Ryan Moesser, and Andrew Vipperman would be named 4 of the top players not just in Class II but also the classificaiton, county and WPIAL all classifications. Senior forwards Ryan Colbert and John Scott would end the season as the two 2nd goal scorers on the team. Both would be named ALL WPIAL for their performances as well as make the WPIAL Senior game. Ryan Moessner would be named one of the top all around players in WPIAL and was one of the top goal scorers in all classifications. Andrew Vipperman a top Centerback/Keeper in the region would help provide the Bearcats with one of the best defensive seasons in school history.
With a unique 6 Section Champions the Bearcats would get pushed to a 7 seed in the WPIAL Single A Bracket. The Bearcats would take on Our Lady of Sacred Heart at South Fayette Stadium. A matchup from the 2017 Season. The Bearcats would once again be the victors in a 2-1 win. Aiden McMurray (pictured above) played a huge defensive game in the midfield for the Bearcats. Andrew Vipperman would score the go ahead goal in the 2nd half and John Scott would score the game winner against the Chargers minutes into overtime.
The Bearcats would head North to Avonworth High School for their Quarter Final Match up against Sewickley Academy Panthers. The Bearcats would put in their most dominate performance of the season beating the #2 seed 5-0. John Scott would get his 2nd game winner in a row while scoring a brace to send the Bearcats to their first WPIAL Semi Final appearance in school history. Ryan Colbert, Ryan Moessner, and Billy Moyer would also score for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats would head back to Washington County to play a unique Class A double header at Peters TWP stadium. The Bearcats would take on the Burrel Buccaneers for the matinee match followed by Charleroi and Seton LaSalle.
Ryan Moessner would score the go ahead goal in the first half and the game winner in overtime to send the Bearcats to the first WPIAL District Championship at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. It would set up the 3rd matchup of the season against Charleroi Cougars of the season.
Send of after school pep rally and parade.
The Starting XI for the Bearcats in the WPIAL District Championship at Highmark.
Hays-R. Colbert-Vipperman-Scott-C. Lusk- I. Reynolds- D. Colbert - A. McMurray - Pysh - Moessner- Davenport.
The Cougars would go up 2 goals in the first half of the Championship game at Highmark Stadium. With 16 minutes to go in regulation Sophomore Ryan Moessner would score on a flick pass from John Scott to bring the Bearcats back within 1.
With four minutes to go in regulation Andrew Vipperman scored equalizing goal on a diving header cross from Ryan Colbert and Ryan Moessner. The Junior Captain goal would help push the Bearcats to overtime.
Ryan Colbert would score the game winner on a pass from brother Dillan Colbert to score the biggest goal in school history.
Captains Andrew Vipperman, Coltyn Lusk, Ryan Colbert, and John Scott liftig the WPIAL Class A Trophy.
Bentworth would become the 3rd public school program in Class A history to lift the trophy. The Bearcats would also be the first small school in Washington County History as well as the only WPIAL Champion in the modern Mid Mon Valley history. It would be the 3rd WPIAL District title in school history (All Sports) since the Bentleyville-Ellsworth Merger in the early 1960s.
WPIAL Class A Boys Championship Trophy at Community party.
The Bearcats would win the first PIAA State Playoff game in school history. It would be the 4th team to win a PIAA State game in school history (All Sports). The Bearcats defeated District 10 Champions Seneca Bobcats 3-0 at Peters TWP Stadium. Goals were scored by John Scott, Ryan Colbert, and Ryan Moessner.
With a shutout against Seneca Starting Keeper Diontae "DJ" Hays broke the school record for most shutouts in a single season. Hays finished with 11 single season clean sheets.
A few days later Freshman Billy Moyer would score the game winner 4-1 in the PIAA Quarter Finals at Plum High School. The victory came once again against Burrel Buccaneers who finished 3rd in WPIAL. The win would send the Bearcats into the PIAA Semi Finals against Charleroi Cougars for the 4th time of the season. The other goals were scored by Ryan Colbert and John Scott.
The crowd in the PIAA Semi Finals at Peters TWP was one of the biggest crowds in PIAA State Soccer History. 2500 showed up for the Washington County matchup.
Coach Malarbi finished the season with 20 wins, the most in program single season history. He was also named Class A Section II Co Coach of the Year.
The boys program would celebrate 35th Anniverary of the program in 2024-2025.
2024 would also be the Inaugural Bearcat Soccer Hall of Fame Class. The class would include the 1985 Bentleyville Youth Soccer Team, Walter "War Horse" Magera, Neal Baker, Gerald Mellinger, John Lovett, and Alexzandra Loos.
The boys would win an Undefeated Class A Section II Championship. It would be the 3rd undefeated and 5th total in the last 18 years.
Ryan Moessner would finish the 2024-2025 season as the most decorated player in program history. He was again named to the All Section team and All WPIAL Team. He was named Class A Section II Player of the Year as well as WPIAL Class A Player of the Year. He would also become the first player in program history to be named All State. He finished his Junior season as the programs all time leader in career goals, career assists, and career points.
Moessner would score 5 goals in the WPIAL First round at Peters TWP VS California. 11-0 would set the mark for most playoff goals in a single game by team and individual.
Aiden McMurray would score the game winner at Peters TWP against Trinity Christian. It would be the 2nd time the Bearcats would defeat the Falcons this season. McMurray put in a performance defensively as well holding the high powered falcons goaless.
Adam Moessner scored the game winner in the WPIAL Semi Final at Canon Mac Stadium against Beaver County Christian to send the Bearcats to our 2nd WPIAL Championship game in a row.
Ryan Moessner would follow up with a goal of his own. The goal would make him the programs all time leading goal scorer with 86.
Dillan Colbert would score the 3rd goal of the match sending the Bearcats back to Hallmark Stadium.
2024 Class A WPIAL Championship VS OLSH At Highmark Stadium
After regulation and 2 overtime periods the WPIAL Playoffs were decided by penalty kicks. Senior center back and team captain Andrew Vipperman would put on his brothers keeper shirt and jump in goal for the Bearcats. Vipperman a standout keeper at the classic level stopped 2 penalty shots. Isaac Reynolds would score what would be the eventual game winning penalty. Photo above Vipperman PK stop and celebration vs OLSH in sudden victory shootout and bring home another WPIAL Championship.
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Andrew Vipperman lifting the Class A WPIAL District Championship Trophy
Back 2 Back WPIAL Championships. The first time a public school program in class A to accomplish the repeat championship. 2023 and 2024.
Bentworth would become the 1st Class A public School to win Back 2 Back District Championships. The 3rd/4th public school to ever win a district Class A title and the only one to win multiple.
WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIP Victory Party with Luna the Bearcat
Adam Moessner would score the game winning goal at Canon Mac Stadium to defeat Westmont Hilltop District 6 Champion 1-0. The goal would come off a rebound from an Aiden McMurray attack.
Ryan Moessner would score the game winner at Grove City HS Stadium against Mercyhurst Prepatory District 10 Champion to send the Bearcats back to the PIAA Semi Final
Billy Moyer would score the game winner in the PIAA State Semi Final against McConnellsburg at Westmont Hilltop Stadium in Johnstown . Photo above: Moyer buried a left foot shot past the McConnellsburg keeper.
After the Moyer goal Ryan Moessner would add to his season record with the insurance goal to make it 2-0. The Bearcats would become the first team in all sports to make a PIAA Final.
DJ Hays would have a special season in goal. Hays would set the program record for most shutouts in a single season of 18 where he broke his own record. He would also become the all time shutout record and all time winningest keeper in school history. Hays would not allow a goal in regulation in the entire month of October and November. Not one goal in the WPIAL or PIAA Playoffs until the final.
PIAA PENNSYLVANIA STATE CLASS A BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
PIAA Runner Up
The boys would end the season 22-1 losing to Lancaster Mennonite in the State Final in OT. Captains Andrew Vipperman and Ryan Moessner are handed the PIAA Runner Up trophy
Coach Nick Malarbi would finish his 2nd year as the Class A Section II Coach of the Year, WPIAL Class A Coach of the Year, and Tricada Coach of the Year.
Fall 2025 The boys program would earn the 300th win in program history against Charleroi Monessen Coop. The win would also put the Bearcats with an all time winning record and winning % in program history.
Ryan Moessner would score his 100th career goal with his brace At Elizabeth Forward. It would match his already 100+ Assist record. It would make him the first male soccer player in school history to reach the century mark in both categories.
The boys would secure their 6th program Section Championship.
At haltime of the last home regular season football game the boys and girls would be honored for their back to back Class A Section II Championships.
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The WPIAL First Round would be against former section rival Brentwood at Peters TWP. The boys would defeat the Spartans 8-0. Junior Austin Hollier would record a 2nd half hat trick to secure the victory.
Ryan Moessner would go off in the WPIAL Quarter finals with a huge 6-0 Victory over Eden Christian at Bethel Park Stadium.
Blake Lusk would score the 2nd goal in a 2-0 Victory at Quaker Valley stadium against Beaver County Chirstian. In a rematch of teh 2024 WPIAL Semi Finals the Bearcats would once again defeat the Eagles and send the Bearcats to their 3rd straight WPIAL District Final.
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The Bearcats starting lineup in the prime time slot on Thursday night of the WPIAL Playoffs. The Bearcats would once again take on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in a rematch of the 2024 Class A Final.
Ryan Moessner would score early on the lockeroom side of Highmark to take the early 1-0 lead.
After OLSH would answer back Adam Moessner would score quickly to go back ahead on the same side of the stadium as his borther.
The Bearcats would not need overtime or a shootout this year as Ryan Moessner would score his 2nd of the night and ultimately claiming the WPIAL 3 Peat. The first time a program has ever reached the challenge in over 30 years.
Captain Ryan Moessner lifting the Class A District Championship trophy
Bentworth would become the first Class A program to ever win 3 District Championships in a row.
The boys would be met postgame by the girls program who also won the Class A Championship in the matinee match beforehand.
The boys and girls would celebrate together again this year with Luna the Bearcat at the community Victory Party.
In yet another rematch of the PIAA State Playoffs Bentworth would host District 10 Champion Mercyhurst Prepatory at Peters TWP Stadium. Blake Lusk would score the nail in the coffin goal against Prep to give a 3-1 victory.
In the PIAA State 2nd Round at Peters TWP Junior Billy Moyer would go off and have a huge goal and assist to defeat WPIAL 3rd place Winchester Thurston.
In the PIAA Semi Final Bentworth would have to defeat OLSH once again for the 4th straight time to get back to the PIAA State Championship Game. After a fortunate own goal by OLSH Sophomore Adam Moessner would score a left footed goal to send the Bearcats back to the State Final.
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The Bearcats had one last challenge to complete. To finally win a PIAA State Championship.
This year the State Championship would be in Manchester, PA in York County.
The community would once again travel well and fill the stands at North Eastern High School Stadium .
The Bearcats would meet Delware County Christian Knights at North Eastern Stadium in Manchester, PA
Early in the first half Captain, Centerback Dillan Colbert would go down with an ankle injury. Colbert was a massive part of allowing only 9 goals against all season. The multiple year all section player would not be able to return to the match. The Bearcats would have to win without one of the best defenders in the WPIAL.
The game was back and forth with the Bearcats getting best of the play. Adam Moessner would nearly score inthe last minute of the game. The ball would hit the post and be sent into overtime. 4 Minutes into overtime Captain Ryan Moessner would send a ball 60 yards to brother Adam Moessner. In the biggest "pass the torch moment" Adam would fight off 3 defenders and slip the ball past Delco Christian keeper to win the PIAA State PIAA Championship.
Ryan Moessner would become the only WPIAL public school class A Captain to lift the PIAA State Championship trophy.
2025-2026 PIAA State Champions Class A
The Bearcats would finish the perfect season 25-0-0.
Ryan and Adam Moessner would be named to the WPIAL Class A Section II team, the All WPIAL All District Team, and Ryan would be named to the All State team. They would finsihed the season with a combined 100 goals and 100 assists. Ryan would also be named Section Player of the Year. He would go down as one of the most decorated players in WPIAL Soccer history.
In fall of 2005 the school board approved a girls program for the 2006 fall season. For over 15 years the only place for female soccer players to play was on the boys team.
Defender/Midfielder Ashley Hamstra was a big reason to push for a girls team. Hamstra is the only player to ever play on both team. After two seasons on the boys team she helped captain the new Lady Bearcats.
2006-2007 Inaugural Bentworth High School Girls Soccer team.
Veteran High School Coach Dan Haywood took the helm of the girls program in 2006. Haywood spent a long career at Charleroi High School where he lead the Cougars to back to back WPIAL and PIAA Finals in the 19999-2000,2000-2001 Seasons.
In the meantime Bentworth Girls Soccer was growing in the youth level as well. This group of ladies became the first all girls travel team in BAYSA history. This group of girls would also be some of the first members of the first Bentworth Middle School team in Fall 2009.
2010-2011 Season The Lady Bearcats qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in school history.
the 2011-2012 Lady Bearcats clinched a share of the Class A Section II Championship. The Bearcats shared the title with Serra Catholic.
Leading the 2011 Championship team was team captain midfielder/forward Erin Ritzer. Erin scored 36 goals in the campaign and voted the top player in Section II. She also became the first female player in school history to be named to the All WPIAL team.
After fall 2013 season Dan Haywood reitred after 8 seasons at the helm of the girls program. Haywood finished his Lady Bearcat career with a 2011 Section Championship, 3 WPIAL Playoff Appearances and a 60-74-5 record.
Tyler Hamstra, the longterm boys 1st assistant took the girls head job in winter of 2013-14. Hamstra spent almost a decade coaching alongside boys head coach Gary Amos.
Hamstra would bring back former standout Lady Bearcat Heather Podroskey as his first assistant.
Goal scoring was hard to find after graduation of Erin Ritzer, Kaylee Selvoski, and Kelsey Plute. A stingy defense was a big part of success in a tough section for the new coach. A huge part of that defense was keeper Jeanna Brewer who set school record 11 shutoutsin a single season.
Senior Captain Miranda Vankirk played a pivotal role in Hamstra's first two seasons. A natural defender, Vankirk was moved into an attacking midfielder. Vankirk finished her senior season as the 2nd highest vote getter in the section and the 2nd player in program to be named All WPIAL.
For the 2016-17 Season the Bentworth Girls Program would Celebrate its 10th Anniversary.
The 2016 Lady Bearcats would be one of the top teams in all Bentworth sports. The girls went on a undefeated 15-0 regular season run. 12-0 in Section play.
the 2016-2017 Lady Bearcats went undefeatd as they brought home their 2nd Section title in school history.
A big part of the success was the leadership and play of the senior class. Senior Captains Bea Kossel and Danielle Gondak would become the 3rd and 4th player in school history to be named to the All WPIAL Team. Kossels younger sister Cande would be named the 5th. Bea would finish her career with 40 goals making her one of the top goal scorers in program. Danielle a 4 year starting defender would be named the top vote getter in the section. One spot ahead of Kossel. Gondak who had a different centerback partnership in all 4 years would become arguably the top defender for the Bearcats.
If leadership from the older players would be part of the success the technical and scoring power from freshman would be the the other big part. Freshman All Section duo Paige Marshalek and Jocelyn Timlin woiuld combine for 56 goals and two of the top scoriers in WPIAL and the two top scorers in the section.
The Lady Bearcats would exorcise their demons in the first round of the playoffs. After 6 unsuccessful attempts to winning a playoff game the girls would finally get a victory VS Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at Upper St. Clair. The eventual game winner was enough to advance to the WPIAL Quarter Finals.
In the WPIAL Quarter Finals the Lady Bearcats would take advantage of 3 set pieces from almost the same same exact spot. Freshman talisman Paige Marshalek would score from 30 yards out and serve in two assists to Senior Captain Bea Kossel. Kossels brace would be enough to beat the South Side Beaver Rams and adance to the WPIAL Semi Finals.
Starting XI VS South Side Beaver-WPIAL Semi Finals 2016. Post team picture and celebration picture.
Head Coach Tyler Hamstra was the 2017 PAWEST State Girls Recreaional Coach of the Year for BAYSA.
Junior Strike Partnership Jocelyn Timlin and Paige Marshalek didnt waste much time making more history early into the 2018-19 campaign. The pair moved into top two all time leading goal scorers in school history. Marshalek also broke the career assist record in the home opener VS Geibel. Timlin finished her junior season with 110 career goals breaking the century mark directly before playoffs. Marshalek finished with 84 career goals and 94 career assists. Her 48 assists in a single season is 2nd all time in Pennsylvania State Soccer History. The two were both tied for top player in Section II. The pair also recieved spots on the All WPIAL team.
In a big victory over Charleroi the Lady Bearcats swept the Cougars for the first time in school history clinching a share of the Section title. A few days later The Bearcats went to Chartiers Houston and won the section outright with a 3-2 victory. Timlin scored the game winner in both the home and away game vs Chartiers Houston.
Head Coach Tyler Hamstra would become the all time winningest coach surpassing Dan Haywood.
Senior Keeper Cande Kossel built upon her already school record for career shutouts. Kossel was named All Section for her 4th time as well as All WPIAL for the 3rd straigt time. The highest vote getter in the Section and Classificaton. She was also named Mon Valley Independent Female Keeper of the Year.
Bentworth got some revenge in the first round of the playoffs when they beat the Vincentian Royals. The two met in the 2016 WPIAL Consolation game with the Royals edging out the Bearcats. This time forward Jocelyn Timlin scored a hat trick to earn the victory at Trinity Hiller Stadium.
In the quarter finals the Bearcats traveled to Greene County to play last years section rival Bishop Canevin Crusaders. The Lady Bearcats took advantage of the familiar Waynesburg turf and scored 2 goals in regulation by Timlin and Marshalek. Marshalek with a cheeky quick free kick and Timlin with an equalizing header off a Lindsay Davis corner kick. Bishop Canevin made it an interesting game and scored 2 of their own. Paige Marshalek slotted home the golden goal in OT to send the Bearcats to 2nd WPIAL Semi Final Appearance in 3 seasons.
The Bearcats would play their 3rd catholic opponent of the tournament. This time it would be the most storied program in Class A girls soccer. The Centurions of Greensburg Central Catholic. The underdog Bearcats would need big performances from big players. The Lady Bearcat captains would be the difference. A strong defensive team performance would keep GCC frustrated. Two quick counter attacks lead by Timlin and Marshalek, r would put Bearcats up. A break away goal by Paige Marshalek on an assist from Timlin, followed by an assist from Timlin on eventual game winner.
Senior 3 time All WPIAL keeper Cande Kossel would give her best performance to a very strong GCC attack. Kossel kept the Centurions to a single goal. The Cats would be the first girls team in any sport to qualify for the WPIAL Title game.
Celebration after Semi Final. With victory the girls also qualified for the PIAA State Tournament.
After a 2nd place finish in disctrict play Bentworth would travel to District 10 to play the host Champions Brockway at Dubois High School.
The Bearcats became the first female team in school history to win a PIAA State game as well as 3rd team overall. Jocelyn Timlin scored 4 goals to advance to the PIAA State Quarter Finals.
Team celebration after defeating Brockway at Dubois.
The Lady Bearcats wrapped up their 3rd Undefeated Section Championship on senior night against Chartiers Houston. Despite being down a player and trailing late in the match Jocelyn Timlin scored to push the match into overtime. Timlin would strike quickly in OT on a pass from strike partner Paige Marshalek to complete her hat trick and remain perfect in the season.
Celebrating with the Class A Section II Banner
Lifting "2" fingers to celebrate back to back undefeated Championships
The girls were presented the WPIAL Section plaque at the last home football game.
Back to Back Undefeated Champions
Jocelyn Timlin and Paige Marshalek, would be named the top 3 field players in Class A Section II. The duo would also be named All WPIAL and 3 of the top players in Class A.
They would combine for over 330 goals and the 3 most accomplished field players in program history.
The 2020 Senior Class was the most successful female class of all sports in school history. They would finish their career with 3 undefeated section championship, 3 trips to the WPIAL Semi Finals , WPIAL Runner up, PIAA State Qualifier were they were State Quarter Finalists.
In the 1st round of the WPIAL Playoffs the Lady Bearcats defeated the Mohawk Warriors 6-1 at Upper St. Clair. Veteran goal scorers Jocelyn Timlin and Paige Marshalek would combine for all 6 goals.
Captains Lindsay Davis and Paige Marshalek celebrating with team after defeating Mohawk Warriors 6-1 at USC.
In the WPIAL Quarter Finals the Lady Bearcats defeated Serra Catholic Eagles at Peters Township 3-1. Caroline Rice scored the game winning header off a Lindsay Davis corner. Jocelyn Timlin scored the brace to secure the victory.
Head Coach Tyler Hamstra became the 1st Recipient of the TRICADA Girls Soccer Coach of the Year Award for 2020.
The 2020 Season would mark the 15th Girls Season in school history. The young Lady Bearcats squad would celebrate the Crystal Anniversary with 11th straight playoff appearance and another winning season.
The Girls would get the programs 150th Career Victory with a 6-1 win over Charleroi.
The teams defense would be represented on the All WPIAL team as well. Keeper Jasmine Manning would become the 2nd All WPIAL Keeper in school history and 10th overall. Center back Maleena Rokicki would become the 2nd All WPIAL defender in school history and 11th overall.
Against the Lady Cougars at Myron Pottias Stadium in Charleroi the Bearcats had a secial guest. Dan Haywood the Inaugaurel Girls Soccer Coach (2006-2013) met the current Lady Bearcats. Haywood was also the Inaugaurel Charloeri Girls Coach. The Bearcats and the Cougars tied 2-2. Alexa Leonetti (Pictured with twin sister Taylor )was women of the match with a great defensive performance.
Tessa Charpentier scored the game winner 1-0 against the Monessen Greyhounds on Senior Night. The win would give Coach Tyler Hamstra his 100th career victory. Hamstra would be the 2nd fastest coach in school history to the Century mark. Above Hamstra is shown after the Monessen game with the 2022/23 seniors, a group he coached since 5th grade. Hamstra was evnetually honored with a 100 win plaque on Pink Out Night VS Beth Center the following week.
Taylor Leonetti scored the game winner against South Allegheny to get the first win vs the Gladiators in over a decade. Already arguably the best outside back in program history, the Senior would move up the field and become a strong secondary goal scorer for the Bearcats.
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The Lady Bearcats would win 4-0 on Senior Night. Senior Nina Thompson would score the game winner VS the Lady Bulldogs. The win would put the Bearcats into the WPIAL Playoffs for the 12th consecuative season.
The Lady Bearcats would go into the WPIAL playoffs for the 2nd consecuative season against the Springdale Dynamos. The Lady Bearcats would lose a tough 1-0 loss. The girls had 3 big season award winners. Senior Defender Maleena Rokicki was named the MVI girl soccer Mt. Rushmore of the season. Jasmine Manning and Tessa Charpentier were both named to the All WPIAL team. Manning finished top 3 in every keeper statistical record in school hisory. Jasmine was once again named the top keeper in WPIAL Class Single A. Charpentier was one of the top goal scorers in WPIAL. The Junior playmaker and goalscorer notched 25 goals in the 21-22 campaign.
The 2022-2023 Bentworth Lady Bearcats would once again qualify for the WPIAL Playoffs for a consecuative 13 times. This would become as Bentworth School record for most consecuative WPIAL playoff appearances by a single program.
Tessa would have another huge year in 2022. The senior would be the 2nd rated player in Class A Section II. She would finish her Career as the 4th all time leading goal scorer and 2nd All time Assist leader in school history. Charpentier was named the Mon Valley Independent Moe Rosensteel Female Soccer Player Leadership Award. She also was named All Section for the 4th time, All WPIAL for the 2nd time as well . In Winter 2023 Tessa Charpentier signed to play for Westminster College Titans.
The 2023-2024 Lady Bearcats fielded a 26 girl roster one of the only small school programs to play a Junior Varsity schedule on their way to another winning season. The season ended with tons of optimism for the upcoming seasons with 22 of the 26 players returning.
The young Bearcats had one of the toughest defenses in the area. Several of these players helped lead the Bearcats just short of a double digit win season. Senior , Midfielder Emily Kisner would be named one of the top 5 all around players in Section II. Fellow Captain and keeper, Cassidy Sicchitano would be named the top keeper in the section for the 2nd season in a row. Sicchitano was flanked by two underclassmen All section defenders in sophomore Jesse Laskey and freshman Megan Keturakis. Keturakis was one of the top defenders in the classification making her the first Freshman All WPIAL player in program history.
The 2024 Season would kickoff the Bearcat Hall of Fame.
The girls and boys teams would both wear #15 on their warmup for the 2024 season the retired number of former standout Alexzandra Loos.
The young Lady Bearcats would have one of their most successful seasons in program history with a 17-2-0 record. Much of the credit goes to a strong group of players who were developed in the youth system Bentworth has in place. This group is the most decorated youth team in club history. No surprise the success translated to the high school level. Coach Hamstra would become the longest tenured coach in Class A and would lead a squad that he has coached since under 10.
In a key match at Waynesburg Central Megan Keturakis kept the Lady Bearcats in 1st place of the section when she scored the game winner to sweep the Lady Raiders for the season.
After nearly running the table in Class A Section II The Lady Bearcats would defeat Chartiers Houston on Senior Night to Clinch the Class A Section Championship. Pictured above is Bella Moyer game winner on the lockerroom side of Bearcat Athletic Field in Ellsworth .
The girls would win their 5th Class A Section II Championship in the last 14 years.
Captain Brina Orsatti would lift the Section Championship Banner after a 2-0 Victory. Orsatti leadership and play would be critical to bringing the Section II Championship back to the Hill.
Bella Moyer and Brielle Dillon would become one of the top young scoring duos in WPIAL. The two combined for almost 40 goals and would be a huge reason why the Lady Bearcats would have such a successful season.
The Lady Bearcats would enter the WPIAL Playoffs once again as a top seed. Bella Moyer and Brille Dillon were critical all season in goal scoring. The young duo would both score and assist eachother. Moyer with a through ball to Dillon on an equalizing goal. Dillon would eventually return the favor with a cross to Moyer in a walkoff winner.
The Lady Bearcats would celebrate to "Do The Bearcat" Greene County Style with a OT thriller.
The Lady Bearcats would make The Hill at Ellsworth a Fortress going undefeated at home. The high scoring Lady Bearcats would possibly be even more impressive on the defensive side allowing 14 goals all season and less than 10 in the regualar season. Captain Jesse Laskey, Meredith Allender, Emma Lusk in addition to Camille Sneith, Alex Jackson, Makayla Jackson and others in a defensive effort that lead to 9 shutouts for Keeper Nita Anderson and Julia Brandau.
Megan Keturakis and Madelyn Johns would both be named All WPIAL. Keturakis would lead the team in goals and become one of teh top players in Class A. Johns a natural playmaker for the Lady Bearcats would quarterback a team attack thatwould combine for 80 goals.
The Lady Bearcats would celebrate 20 years of the program in 2025. The Porcelain Annivery would be one to remember.
The Bearcats would get their 200th program win in 2025. The win would come against California at home. It would make the program the fasted in school history in all sports to get 200th win.
The Lady Bearcats would go on a long winning streak and wrap up a WPIAL playoff clinching and WPIAL Class A Section II Championship around midway of Section play. It would be the 2nd back to back Section title in program history and the 6th title in program history.
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In the 2025 WPIAL Playoffs the Lady Bearcats would earn the #2 seed. The first round matchup would not be an easy one. The draw would be against fellow public school powerhouse Freedom Area Bulldogs. The Bearcats would host at Peters TWP and would never trail in the match. The lady cats would have to win the game multiple times as Freedom would not go away easily. Brielle Dillon would score the go ahead goal. Freedom would equalize and force another go ahead goal from Bella Moyer to make it 2-1. After another rally by Freedom the Lady Bearcats would need another answer. Brielle Dillon would put a cross into Bella Moyer with 3 minutes left to get what would look like the game winner. The goal would be called back but that would not stop another Lady Bearcat rally. Madelyn Johns would fight through multiple defenders and poke the ball to Brielle Dillon who buried the game winner with less than a minute remaining.
In the WPIAL Quarter Finals Bentworth would face Our Lady of Sacred Heart in a 2024 Playoff rematch. The Lady Bearcats would take advantage of the speed matchup. Brielle Dillon would score a first half brace. The brace would be enough to see the Bearcats earn a shutout and get back into the WPIAL Semi Finals.
In the WPIAL Semi Final Bentworth would play a familair fough in section neighbors to the south in Waynesburg. The Lady Bearcats would control the first half. Bella Moyer would bury a shot that came off quick combination from Madelyn Johns and Megan Keturakis with the final ball. The goal would be enough to see the Bearcats to their 2nd District Finals in program history.
The night would be kicked off with the Girls Class A WPIAL Championship. The Final would the Lady Bearcats VS
Sewickley Panthers for the first time in program history.
The Lady Bearcats would play in the matinee match on Thursday night at Highmark in the WPIAL Championship. It would be the 3rd girls team in all sports to make a District Final. The Lady Bearcats pictured above would lineup in the international starting lineup and face Sewickley Academy, for the first time in program history.
The first half was tilted slightly to SA as the Panthers would control possession and final third entrances. Keeper Julia Brandau and defense of Meredith Allender, Jesse Laskey, Emma Lusk, Emme Orsatti, and Camille Sneith would limit dangerous oppurtunities all game to keep the game tied at 0-0.
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After several chances both ways the Lady Bearcats would cash in. A combination with Madelyn Johns would put Brielle Dillon in on goal. A slick ball would slip through and give the Lady Bearcats their first District Championship in program History.
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Captain Brina Orsatti lifting the WPIAL Class A Championship Trophy
WPIAL Class A Champions
The girls would become the first girls district champion of school history (program and all sports).
They would also become the 2nd ever and 1st small school girls Socct Disctrict Champion in Washington County History.
Also the first girls soccer district Champion in the Mid Mon Valley
Boys and Girls Coaches together with both WPIAL Class A Championship trophies.
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Juniors Megan Keturakis and Madelyn Johns were once again named to the All WPIAL All District Team for the 3rd year in a row. Junior Keeper Julia Brandau would also be named the top Keeper in Class A All WPIAL .
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