FINAL: Bentworth 3, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 1 (Bentworth wins third straight WPIAL Boys Class 1A Title)

WPIAL Boys Class 3A Final

FINAL: No. 1 Bentworth 3, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 1

WPIAL Championship History (Class 1A)

Match Summary

Bentworth capped an impressive undefeated season in the WPIAL by setting the tone in the Boys Class 1A Championship with early goals in both halves, then stayed in control to close out the match, defeating Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 3-1, on Thursday night at Highmark Stadium.

Senior standout Ryan Moessner scored the early goal each half, while younger brother Adam had a goal and an assist.  OLSH equalized midway through the first half with a highlight reel goal from Andre Kolocouris.

At the half, though Bentworth held the lead, this contest was still shaping up as an even match, with both teams registering six shots and earned two corner kicks — while possession was nearly 50/50.

As the second half opened, it was completely in the cards for this match to continue as an open-ended, back-and-forth affair, but Moessner’s second goal, just a few minutes after the second half kickoff, provided an essential two-goal cushion.

The Bearcats sat deeper and picked its spots getting forward in the final 35-plus minutes, staying in control and keeping OLSH’s chances to a minimum.

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Look for a more detailed recap and reaction to be added here. 

Match Updates

2nd Half 

FINAL — BENTWORTH 3, OLSH 1

BENTWORTH WINS THIRD STRAIGHT WPIAL BOYS CLASS 1A TITLE!

65′ — Bentworth have been locking up OLSH pretty well here — with 3-1 lead.

42′ — GOAL!!! BENTWORTH GO UP 3-1 AT START OF 2nd HALF 

Ryan Moessner.  Terrific work on the ball to shake off a few defenders on left edge, then an absolute STRIKE that rips into the back of the net. Bearcats take control over OLSH, 3-1

1st Half

24′ — GOAL!!  OLSH RESPONDS!  WHAT A STRIKE!  BENTWORTH 1, OLSH 1

What a strike!!! Top shelf from Andre Kolocouris. And we’re all level between OLSH and Bentworth

3′ — GOAL!! BENTWORTH TAKES 1-0 LEAD

Ryan Moessner gets loose on left side — and buries it with a low shot Assist — from his younger brother Adam Moessner. And just like that — a goal after these two sides played 110 mins w/o a goal last year Buckle up!

Match Preview

Rosters Bentworth | Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

How They Got Here…

• Bentworth — def #16 Brentwood, 8-0; def Eden Christian, 6-0; def Beaver County Christian, 4-0

• OLSH — def Greensburg Central Catholic, 14-1; def Sewickley Academy, 4-1; def Winchester Thurston, 1-0

Both Bentworth and OLSH posted impressive undefeated seasons as each did its part to meet again in the District Final, where a year ago, they played an instant classic, that had to be decided by penalty kicks.

 

Bentworth repeat as WPIAL Boys 1A Champions, beat OLSH on PKs, 5-4

This year, OLSH won’t be sneaking up on Bentworth or any of the teams in Class 1A this year, especially with midfielder Owen Minzer patrolling in the midfield both in extending possessions and as a creative playmaker.

Both Bentworth and OLSH played up in competition, posting impressive wins against schools from higher classifications, with OLSH posting wins vs Class 3A Trinity (2-1) and neighbors, Moon (3-0) while Bentworth went up in class to beat 3A schools including Highlands, West Mifflin and Blackhawk and 2A schools Charleroi, Elizabeth Forward and Yough.

Bentworth returns much of its core from last year’s squad, especially with the dynamite sibling connection of senior Ryan Moessner, who’s surpassed the 100-goal mark for his career and brother Adam Moessner, who’s equally dangerous anywhere near the box with the ball at his feet.  The elder Moessner was one of 13 district players to earn All-State honors last year.

Both sides have taken care of business through the playoffs, with OLSH finding it way to a win over an impressive, battle-tested Winchester Thurston side in the semifinal round.  In the dying stages of regulation, Issac Tarbuk scored the game-winning goal, to get the Chargers back into the final and a rematch with Bentworth.

For OLSH, its a much-anticipated second chance against Bentworth.  And for Bentworth, they’re 80 minutes or so away from an unprecedented three-peat.

While both sides have their share of explosive scoring at this level, this still looks to be a contrast in styles.

OLSH will look to its strengths, giving its midfielders, led by Minzer, an opportunity to extend possessions and stay well-organized in the back — in order to minimize chances from Bentworth’s dangerous attack.

Last year when they met, OLSH were effective in slowing down Bentworth, but it turned into a knock-down, drag-out affair. Covering the match, PSN’s Mark Goodman called it “a choppy goalless match between two scrappy opponents stretched on into the night.”

With just one full day of rest, each side’s stamina and determination will be pushed to the limit but both sides are prepared to go to the distance again.