Bethel Park savors 3rd straight section title, wants more

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Bethel Park’s boys soccer team won its third consecutive section title with a near-perfect 12-0-2 record.

The Black Hawks outlasted Thomas Jefferson (11-2-1) and Trinity (10-3-1) at the top of the section standings and took a 12-2-3 overall record and No. 2 seed into the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

“I have really enjoyed coaching these boys this year,” said Bethel Park coach Doug Fink. “It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s a special group of 18 seniors. I feel like we have come a long way since August at the start of the season. Our ball possession has improved, which has resulted in more scoring opportunities for our team. I still think we need to defend better as a unit and strive for clean sheets in the playoffs.

“Our goals remain the same. Our first goal was to try to win the section, which we did. I am pleased with that, but our next goal is to try to make a long run in the WPIAL playoffs and qualify for the PIAA playoffs. This will be extremely challenging as there are so many quality teams in the postseason.”

Bethel Park allowed just 10 goals in 14 section games and 17 goals overall this season. The Black Hawks held 13 opponents to a goal or less, including six shutouts.

Four seniors were named all-section — forwards Xavier Jackson and Youssef Benrabia, goalkeeper Luke Rubican and defender Gavin DeClair (honorable mention).

“I think our team has played very well,” DeClair said. “Obviously, we’re very pleased with our three straight section titles, but that isn’t our end goal. We want more than just the section. Our goal is to win it all this year, and our team has the skill to do so.

“We plan to keep it going, looking at it one game at a time. Our ability to create chances and to put the ball in the back of the net is exceptional.”

Other Bethel Park starters for the playoffs included seniors Jonah Stearman and Cooper Kicinski and junior Aaden McClelland on defense with junior Pravas Dahal, senior Josh Pantin and sophomores Julian Kountz and Ellis Stearman at midfield.

Some of the team’s top reserves are junior midfielder Thomas Opferman and seniors Jake Lang on defense, Jason Koerbel at midfield and Jake Coffield at goalkeeper.

“Our starting lineup has changed a few times due to injuries,” said Fink, now in his eighth year at the helm.

Benrabia led the squad in scoring in the regular season with 20 goals and and Jackson followed with 19.

“Our expectation is a WPIAL title and a WPIAL title only, nothing less,” Jackson said. “We have unfinished business from last year where we barely fell short in the semifinals. We still have that bitter taste in our mouths, as our coach would say, and we want more this year.”

The Black Hawks lost the first and last games — to Class 4A foes Peters Township and Canon-McMillan — on their regular-season schedule.

In between, the Black Hawks reeled off a 15-game unbeaten streak in which they went 12-0-3.

Benrabia scored the winning goal in the final two minutes of regulation to lift Bethel Park to a 3-2 victory over Ringgold and clinch an unbeaten section record for the Black Hawks. Kountz and Opferman also scored for the Black Hawks.

“Our two leading goal scorers, Xavier Jackson and Youssef Benrabia, have been doing a good job playing off of each other and creating opportunities,” DeClair said. “I think we just need to focus on keeping clean sheets and defending as a unit (in the playoffs). We have skill on our team, but I think it is the hard work and determination that separates us from our opponents.”

“Last season, we had a great squad that made a deep run into playoffs, ultimately losing in the (WPIAL) semifinals. We need to use the experience we gained to win it all. I think our coaches and every player on the team know that if we are going to win it all, this is the year to do it. We have the quality and drive, but it is up to us to make it happen.”

Bethel Park, TJ and Trinity couldn’t have been more evenly matched as regular-season opponents. Bethel Park edged both teams by 2-1 scores; the Black Hawks also played to 1-1 ties in two overtimes against both.

The Black Hawks and Jaguars have become section rivals by playing six tough tug-of-war type games the past three seasons.

The teams split decisions in 2022, then Bethel Park won 2-1 and played to a scoreless tie in 2023. TJ swept the two-game series last season, winning by 2-0 and 2-1 scores, while Bethel Park went 1-0-1 against the Jaguars in 2025.

The athletic Jackson was an all-WPIAL selection in 2024. He also is a kicker on the football team and a sprinter in indoor and outdoor track.

“I think our overall performance this year has been very good and has gotten us to where we want to be as of now,” Jackson said following the regular season. “Our attitude and mentality going into these games, along with the nonstop effort towards winning, has made us come out on top in a lot of these games we’ve played.

“Those three section titles have showcased how strong of a team we are as a whole. Each has been fully deserved due to our work rate during games and in practice.”

Jackson has been an integral player on all three section championship teams.

“Xavier is a force,” Fink said. “Xavier really hit top form (last year), scoring some massive goals for our team.”

One of the highlights of Jackson’s career, he said, has been the support displayed by the Bethel Park fans.

“I’m speaking for the team here because I know they’d say the same thing,” he said. “We’d like to thank the fans who come out to the games. Their support whether the game is at home or over an hour away is unforgettable and always appreciated.”

And as is his habit, Fink offered kudos to his coaching staff of Jay Zeminski, Josh Kicinski, Mike Stearman and Josh Woodman.

“We truly work together as a staff,” Fink said, “and all of their hard work and dedication is a major factor in why Bethel Park has had another successful season.”

Benrabia scored three goals Oct. 18 to lead second-seeded Bethel Park to a 6-0 victory over No. 15 Knoch in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer playoffs.

Senior forward Andrew Hughes, Jackson and Kountz also scored for the Black Hawks, who improved to 13-2-3 and advanced to face No. 7 Mars (12-5-2) in the quarterfinals.

Tags: Bethel Park