2024 WPIAL Class A boys soccer championship breakdown: Bentworth vs. OLSH

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 5:41 PM

Purchase Photo Options

WPIAL Class A boys soccer championship

1-Bentworth (18-0) vs. 3-OLSH (15-2)

8 p.m. Thursday, Highmark Stadium

Tickets: $10 general admission

Coaches: Nick Malarbi, Bentworth; Nick Romano, OLSH

Players to watch: Ryan Moessner, Bentworth; Owen Minzer, OLSH

WPIAL titles: Bentworth 1 (2023); OLSH 0

Playoff path: Bentworth defeated No. 16 California, 11-0, in the first round; No. 9 Trinity Christian, 3-0, in the quarterfinals; and No. 4 Beaver County Christian, 3-0, in the semifinals. OLSH beat No. 14 Freedom, 1-0 in overtime, in the first round; No. 6 Springdale, 1-1 (3-0 PK), in the quarterfinals; and No. 7 Eden Christian, 1-0, in the semifinals.

Corner kicks: Bentworth has been dominant this season, outscoring opponents 123-4 en route to an unblemished record. The Bearcats went 8-0 in Section 2 and outscored section foes 73-1. Ryan Moessner, who had 36 goals in the regular season, was selected the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Class A player of the year. He was joined on the All-WPIAL team by teammates Adam Moessner, Andrew Vipperman and Aiden McMurray. Coach Nick Malarbi was named WPSCA Coach of the Year for Class A. Adam Moessner, Ryan’s brother, had 26 goals in the regular season. Both Moessner brothers scored, along with Dillan Colbert, in the semifinal win. … OLSH scored on an own goal in the semifinals to get past No. 7 Eden Christian. Senior striker Jonathan Mackin pressured the defense into the miscue. The Chargers won Section 3 at 9-1. They average 3.2 goals per game and have allowed just 14 this season. OLSH started the season 7-0 before a 4-1 loss to North Catholic. Its only other loss came against Aquinas Academy, 3-0, on Oct. 10. The Chargers are seeking their first WPIAL title. OLSH was represented on the All-WPIAL team by junior Owen Minzer and senior Holland Cobourne.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Bentworth, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart