Bethel Park finds new direction under Bellin
Bethel Park entered a new era in girls soccer. The Lady Hawks started the season with a different face at the helm.
Bethel Park welcomed Sam Bellin as its head coach, replacing Rob Heller, who resigned last year.
Bellin brings an extensive background to the position. Previously, he coached the Allderdice boys varsity club. During his tenure, from 2009-22, with the Dragons he amassed over 150 wins and captured two City League championships. In 10 seasons in the WPIAL, they won two section titles and appeared seven times in the playoffs.
An Allderdice alum, Bellin set team records for goals and assists during his playing career, spanning 1977-1980. He was a three-time all-section and two-time all-WPIAL honoree.
Bellin was an all-conference performer while playing at Allegheny College. He later was a starting midfielder at the University of Georgia.
For the past 45 years, he has competed in Western Pennsylvania men’s soccer leagues.
“I continue playing today,” he said enthusiastically.
While coaches change at Bethel Park, Bellin brings the same expectations for the program.
“Our goals are to be competitive in every game, represent our school proudly as both athletes and human beings, have fun playing and being a member of the soccer team, and qualify for the playoffs,” he said.
“We can achieve these goals by giving 100% commitment to the team and getting a little bit better every day.”
The Lady Hawks are looking to improve upon last year’s fourth-place showing in Section 2 and quarterfinal showing in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. Bethel Park finished 6-4-2 in the section and 10-7-3 overall after falling to eventual WPIAL champion South Fayette, 1-0, in overtime.
Bethel Park looks to challenge Moon, Montour, Chartiers Valley, Blackhawk, West Allegheny and Trinity for the Section 2 title with three returning starters. They are Katelyn Coates, Mia Lancey and Riley Johnson.
Of the three juniors, Bellin boasted of their talent and prospects.. “They are very fast and athletic players with the potential to develop into all-section players,” he said.
Bellin is equally enthusiastic about his newcomers filling vacancies in the lineup. Among them are Vivian Thieroff, Olivia Mooney and Abigail Stutzman. All are seniors.
Thieroff scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory against Trinity. Johnson had the assist for the Lady Hawks, who evened their season record to 1-1 overall.
“Olivia and Vivian provide experience and leadership,” he said. “Abigail is a strong goalkeeper.”
Juniors Samantha Mullner and Nora Welch join three promising underclassmen in pivotal roles in the lineup.
Sophomores Charlotte Turka and Teagen McKown along with freshman Taylor Bruckner have earned starting positions.
“Samantha and Norah are tough and scrappy competitors,” Bellin said. “Charlotte and Teagen are highly skilled players. Taylor is a speed-burner and headlines a large class of talented freshmen.”
Among the other ninth graders on the varsity roster are Addison Mills, Camden Cekus, Cora Krchmar, Kassie Elkins and Ayla Sehic.
Junior Mia Lancy captains the team along with Stutzman and Thieroff.
Among the other juniors on the squad are Katelyn Coates, Riley Johnson, Nora Welch, and Daphne Mach.
In addition to Turka and McKown, Annabelle Gaston, Abigail Kelly and Bridget Busalacchi are juniors, rounding out the varsity roster.
NOTES: The Lady Hawks suffered back-to-back shutouts during the Avonworth Tournament held over the Labor Day Weekend. Bethel Park dropped a 4-0 decision to South Fayette in the opener. The Lady Hawks lost to the host Antelopes, 3-0, in the second game of the event.