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Bethel Park preparing for positive girls soccer season

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 4 min read
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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Lily Gaston (35) was an all-star soccer player at Bethel Park High School. She is continuing her athletic career at Johns Hopkins University.

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Bethel Park's Teagan Mehalko (No. 13) battles Mt. Lebanon's Megan Cusick (6) and Grace Nellas (9) for the ball during section soccer action. Lebo edged BP, 3-2, in overtime.

Joy might best describe the atmosphere surrounding the Bethel Park High School girls soccer team.

With nine returning starters, the Black Hawks anticipate improving upon last year’s 9-7 mark that left them out of the playoff hunt against competitive programs like Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Moon and Canon-McMillan.

BP maintains its optimism in spite of all the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Of course, we have protocol that we have to follow, but the girls have done a phenomenal job with following the guidelines and being safe,” said head coach Missy DalBon. “I think everyone definitely has a greater appreciation for the opportunity to play the game we love as well as just being together as a team.”

Unity, experience and enthusiasm are reasons why the Black Hawks have the potential to exceed expectations.

“We have a lot of returning starters and experience,” said DalBon. “This group of girls is also extremely positive, encouraging and supportive of one another.”

Rachel Toth, Teagan Mehalko and Lily Gaston set the attitude. They share duties as captains.

Toth is a senior defender while Mehalko and Gaston are returning All-Section performers in the midfield. A junior, Gaston also led the club in scoring last season.

In addition to Toth, the Black Hawks return three others starters in the back. Senior Abbey Karstensen anchors the unit in goal. Freshman Alex Fancus is the back-up.

Senior Alena Kauric and junior Julie Heh also start on defense. Seniors Abigail Cannon and Zoe Knight can also aid the defense.

Other Black Hawks with experience are senior midfielder Olivia Schram, junior midfielder Macy Mathias, sophomore midfielder Eva Blatz and sophomore defender Marena Chernicky.

Freshman Artemis Convoy and sophomore Lauren Heh should play key roles, adding to the Black Hawks’ depth.

Junior Meghan Erfort adds support in the midfield while freshman Logan Burke is a plus on defense.

“Our team’s goal is to make the playoffs this year and go as far as we possibly can,” DalBon said.

“Every game is a battle.”

Notes

Three of BP’s 2020 graduates are continuing their playing careers in college. Sophia Galietta is competing at Westminster. Tianna Torles plays for Saint Vincent. Harley Vincler gained a roster spot at Carlow.

Bethel Park dropped its section opener at Mt. Lebanon.

After leading the Blue Devils, 1-0, and 2-1, in the first half, BP succumbed in overtime, 3-2.

Lily Gaston and Olivia Schram scored for the Hawks.

Melia Peer, Casey Gorman and Malena Pasquale had the goals for Lebo.

In other league action, Peters Township blanked Moon, and Bethel Park, both by 3-0 scores

Emma Sawich earned the shutouts in the nets.

Against the Tigers, CeCe Scott scored off an assist from Riley Lopus to stake the Indians to a 1-0 advantage in the first half. 

Jillian Marvin and Casey Brier followed with second-half tallies. Maddie Schweiger and Marvin were credited with the assists.

Against the Hawks, Irene Doleno, Brooke Opferman and Brier scored goals. Opferman and Marvin had the assists.

The Upper St. Clair girls tuned up for their opener against Baldwin with a win against Keystone Oaks.

Carson Bogan and Morgan Huzjak scored twice in the scrimmage.

Emily Rocco, Elle Snyder, Lexi Hall, Zoe Dawso, Hannah Hardy and Chloe Seery added single tallies.

Snyder, Bogan, Natalie Gilbert and Eva Rankin captain the squad.

USC enters the season as the Section 2-AAAA defending champions.

The Lady Panthers have a busy week when they host Moon on Sept. 21 and Mt. Lebanon at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26. In between, they visit Bethel Park at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23. They travel to Peters Township on Sept. 28.

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