Bentworth girls earn pair of victories in FCCA event
UNIONTOWN – The Bentworth girls soccer team opened their season with back-to-back victories in the Fayette County Coaches Association (FCCA) Tournament on Saturday at Laurel Highlands’ Mustang Field.
The Bearcats (2-0-0) and Laurel Highlands (0-2-0) opened play in the first match of the morning, and the defending WPIAL Class A champions broke a 1-1 tie with five goals in the second half on their way to a 6-1 victory.
Brielle Dillon recorded a hat-trick and Bella Moyer scored from the penalty spot in the second half. Madelyn Johns and Megan Keturakis also scored for coach Tyler Hamstra’s squad. Joa Johns assisted on sister Madelyn’s tally.
“A big reason why we always come to this tournament is because of Laurel Highlands,” Hamstra said. “It’s a great game for us because they give us good competition and they are coached well. They are a AAA school and have always been a playoff contender. I was really happy with our performance.”
Bentworth plays its home matches on a grass field, but playoff matches, including the WPIAL championship at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh, are on turf, which is why the Bearcats played on Saturday at Mustang Field.
The opportunity to play on turf was important for Hamstra and his club, which is another reason to play every year in the FCCA Tournament.
“We always attempt to schedule non-section matches with bigger schools like Laurel Highlands to play on turf,” Hamstra said. “We have goals of qualifying for the playoffs and hopefully making a trip to the WPIAL championship game every year, so we want the girls to have that feel of playing on turf. We are one of the few sections where most home fields are grass. It adds a different dynamic.”
Dillon scored Bentworth’s lone goal against Albert Gallatin in a 1-0 victory. The match ended after Dillon’s second-half tally when a player for the Bearcats was shaken up after being injured and was taken off the field on a stretcher, but it was a precautionary measure.
“It seems like all the players are fine,” said Hamstra in regards to the injury. “We are thankful that it was a precautionary situation. Albert Gallatin felt that they would rather just call the game after the delay for the injury.
“We had several early chances in Game 2, but we reverted a little back to our non-consistent way. Brielle Dillon got us back on track with her goal a little bit after halftime. I am proud of the girls. They showed a lot of resolve and veteran leadership today. That is something we want to continue to build upon, and be a little bit smarter in front of goal.”
The Colonials (1-1-0) earned a 4-0 triumph over Beth-Center.
Uniontown played Beth-Center to a 2-2 draw in the second match of the event.
Sadie Hostetler, who scored both goals for Uniontown, put her team in front, 1-0, in the first half.
The Bulldogs (0-1-1) tied the match in the second half prior to Hostetler putting her club ahead at 2-1.
Tempers flared towards the end of the match as yellow cards were shown before Beth-Center leveled the match on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box to steal a point.
Kendall Welsh was set-up by her sister, Rylee Welsh, and Marsala Formentelli scored on an unassisted tally for the Bulldogs.
The Red Raiders lost to Brownsville, 6-0, to finish the event at 0-1-1.
The Falcons blanked Laurel Highlands, 6-0.