FINAL: Bentworth 1, Delco Christian 0 (Bentworth wins first-ever PIAA boys soccer title)

PIAA Boys Soccer Class 1A Final

FINAL: Bentworth 1, Delco Christian 0

Saturday, November 15 | 4 p.m. | Northeastern High School

Broadcast: PCN | Streaming: NHFS

On-Site Coverage:  Philadelphia Soccer Now’s Matt Ralph 

Post Match Reaction

“Greatest group of kids you can imagine,” Bentworth Head Coach Nick Malarbi.

“We’ve had them together since they were five, six years old. Not just this group, but the kids who graduated the last few years. It’s a testament to the kids who brought us here before. We lost our starting center midfielder two weeks ago, we lost our starting center back today, and we had kids that stepped up that don’t always get minutes.  It was a fantastic effort.”

Match Updates

FINAL — BENTWORTH 1, DELCO CHRISTIAN 0

94′ — Bentworth wins it! A golden goal from Adam Moessner with 16:41 in the first overtime period seals Bentworth’s first ever state title. The assist came from… his older brother Ryan.

Look for more to come as Philadelphia Soccer Now’s Matt Ralph caught up with the heroes.

END OF REGULATION — BENTWORTH 0, DELCO CHRISTIAN 0

Frenzied end to regulation as both Bentworth and Delco Christian nearly scored. But it’s 0-0 after 80 minutes and we’re headed to OT.

Match Preview

The Bentworth Bearcats soccer programs have have turned the town of Bentleyville, PA, in Washington County into a soccer titletown, with both the boys and girls programs winning District championships this year.

Now, the Bentworth boys soccer team, the reigning three-time WPIAL Class 1A champions, make their second consecutive appearance in the PIAA Final on Saturday, as they’ll take on District 1 champions Delaware County Christian, who last won the PIAA title in 2023.

This could very well be a battle of one of the top scoring teams in the state and one of the best defensive units, as Delco Christian have yet to surrender a goal in the PIAA tournament.

How good has Bentworth’s run of success — dominating in Boys Class 1A been?   For starters, the Bearcats have lost one time in the past two seasons (spanning 50 matches) — as that loss came in last year’s PIAA Final — a 1-0 loss 

Across the past two seasons, the Bearcats (24-0-0) have conceded a total of 14 goals

And still, to get to another State final, Bentworth had to stave off two tough challenges from it’s most persistent challenger in the District.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart were that team, but each time, the Bearcats had an answer.

First, in the WPIAL Championship match at Highmark Stadium that featured a battle of the unbeatens at the time, Bentworth’s All-State/All-WPIAL forward Ryan Moessner scored early in the first half.

With the match remaining tight at the half, with Bentworth holding a 2-1 lead at the half Head Coach Nick Malarbi told his team, it would be nice to get an early goal in the second half for a cushion.

Moessner told his coach he had his back.

Sure enough, Moessner came through with an answer — a banger from the top of the box — to give the ‘Cats a two-goal lead at the start of the second half, leading to a third straight WPIAL title.

“I joked and said it would be nice to score in the first half or even in regulation— and Ryan (Moessner)’s like I’ll do it in two-and-half minutes.” Nick Malarbi, Bentworth’s Head Coach said after winning another WPIAL title.

Once they entered the State Playoffs, Bentworth  beat Mercyhurst Prep 3-1 in the first round and Winchester Thurston 5-0 in the quarterfinals

In the rematch with OLSH in the State Semifinal, Bentworth showed more patience against a strong possession-minded opponent who controlled playfor long stretches.

Fortunatly, Bentworth’s high press was persistent enough to be rewarded with an OLSH own goal. Then, early in the second half, after OLSH had kept the WPIAL’s leading scorer, Moessner in check for long stretches, the Bearcats turned to Moessner’s younger sibling, Adam.

The sophomore forward fired a left-footed shot past OLSH keeper Patrick Altmar for his 50th goal of the year.  Together, the Moessner brothers have combined for 106 goals this season (Ryan 56, and Adam 50).

The Bearcats have been equally tough to beat and defended well over the past couple years — only surrendering 14 goals in the last 50 games, with a backline that features a pairing of Noah Reynolds and Dillan Colbert along with goalkeeper

OLSH proved to be a tough out — eventually finding a goal in the late stages after a scramble in the box, with freshman Hunter Smith cutting the lead in half.

The final moments of the match, with OLSH pushing numbers forward trying to get the equalizer, saw a wild, back-and-forth fury with both sides exchanging chances, but the Bearcats escaped the rematch with the Chargers with a berth in the PIAA Championship game.

Now, the Bearcats will face District 1 champion Delco Christian (20-3-0), which beat Charleroi in the PIAA title match in 2023.

The Knights haven’t allowed a goal in the state tournament, outscoring Julia R. Masterman, Camp Hill and Wyoming Seminary by a combined score of 7-0.

Philadelphia Soccer Now‘s Matt Ralph profiled Delco Christian before the PIAA Playoffs began, as the Knights are led by senior midfield duo of Jude Sacks and Brecon Williams.

“We have such a special bond,” Brecon Williams said.

“On and off the field, we’re like brothers. Our families joke about how I’m his brother and his family is my second family. It’s just super special being on this ride with him again and I hope we can take it to states and win again, God willing.”

Sacks and Williams – along with fellow seniors Jay Gricco and Jonas Ma – were instrumental in the team’s District 1 clinching 3-0 win over Calvary Christian both with their play on their field and their leadership on a squad where the senior class is often outnumbered on the field by underclassmen.

Goalkeeper Carter Dill leads a talented junior class that includes starters and regular contributors Justin Ma, Matteo DeBellis, Cole Matthews, Ian Kauffman and James Yost. All were instrumental in limiting Calvary Christian’s potent attack but with Sacks, Brecon and company leading the way they have a model of how to compete on a bigger stage.