Zero Tolerance: Bentworth wins with another shutout

For the Observer-Reporter

CANONSBURG – For the second straight year, the Bentworth Bearcats entered the PIAA Class A boys soccer playoffs as the WPIAL champions.

And Tuesday night, for the second straight year, the Bearcats won a one-goal match to advance to the PIAA quarterfinals as they shut out Westmont Hilltop, the District 6 champion, 1-0, at Canon-McMillan's AHN Field.

Bentworth coach Nick Malarbi was impressed with what his team showed.

"It was a great response to the WPIAL final, and we worked a lot harder tonight than we did at the final," he said. "A lot of kids stepped up tonight. We killed seven minutes of the clock at the end of the game, and that is how you get out of tight games."

Malarbi was really impressed with the Hilltoppers (12-9), and he knew Westmont Hilltop's record was deceiving.

"(They) play in a division that doesn't have a lot of single-A teams," he said. "We watched film of them against (Class) A teams, and they were better.

"We saw a lot of film of them against double-A and triple-A teams, and it would be 6-0, so that wasn't a good gauge."

Longtime Westmont Hilltop coach Ed Corona was impressed with the Bearcats (20-0).

"We played a good schedule, but we played teams that were very skilled like Bellefonte or Hollidaysburg, and we have played teams that were very physical, but this is the first time we played a team that could do both," he said. "In the first half, I think our guys were caught in a hurricane.

"We talked a little bit (at the half) and we played significantly better in the second half. We gave a better effort and a lot less hesitation. I am proud of them."

Bentworth came out forcing the issue early as the opening 20 minutes were played in front of the Hilltoppers' net.

However, junior goalkeeper Alex Mondick made six first-half saves, several of which were from point-blank range, keeping the contest scoreless.

"He is a great kid and a captain as a junior," Corona said. "So hard working and has reflexes like a cat. He kept us in the game."

Malarbi was also impressed with Mondick.

"He was unbelievable," said Malarbi. "We had tons of chances tonight. A couple one foot this way or one foot that way, and it could have been a two-, three-, or four-nothing game. (Mondick) played a fantastic game."

Mondick finished with 10 saves.

The one shot that Mondick did not save would end up being the lone goal of the match as Bentworth's Adam Moessner played a loose ball in front of Mondick and buried it with 12:21 to play in the first half.

It was the only goal Bentworth needed, as it ran its shutout streak to nine and season total to 16 as goalkeeper DJ Hays made four saves.

Bentworth now faces Mercyhurst Prep (16-6), a 2-1 winner over Eden Christian, on Saturday at a time and location to be determined.

Malarbi said last year's PIAA run to the semifinals will help.

"That experience is huge," he said. "The guys know (what is expected), now they just have to do it.

"We have film and stretching (Wednesday) because it is tough to keep kids' attention spans for 45 minutes, and then we will be on turf Thursday."