The field hockey, girls soccer, and boys soccer teams all had a successful season throughout section play. Each game was met with a hard fought battle, taking each opponent on until the final whistle. However, in a way I’d say these sports were cursed for the postseason.
The field hockey team placed 3rd in section and made it to the semifinals. The team to face was the white and blue Aquinas. With a team full of mature and cultivated seniors used to the pressure that comes after section play, regulation time was full of aggression and competition, both on offense and defense. This was the game to watch!
The game was scoreless going into overtime, and at this point it was sudden death due to the golden goal rule. Like any other call, the ref blew the whistle. While everyone stopped, the girl fouled just kept going up to the goal and scored, leaving everyone in shock including the ref. However, rather than restarting the play, the ref called it game and, I’m assuming he was now embarrassed, said he made a mistake and left. Although it’s an off putting and unexpected end to the season, the Bears really did put their all in.
Throughout the season, boys soccer showed effort and grit in every game. In tough away matches they pulled through, as well as on home turf with a big crowd in the stands. Soccer nights consisted of laughter and friends and food, with a live game to top it off. This continued into the playoffs. Playing at Moon on a cold Saturday was not what one would expect or consider ideal, but the boys played nevertheless. The boys battled Eden Christian in a game that went back and forth between who was dominating. The first half ended 0-0, and until the last 27 seconds of the game, everyone in the stands thought it would end like this in regulation time as well. This was until an unfortunate breakaway from the other team led to an end to their season.
As for girls soccer, they had an impressive 10-0 record in section, winning the section title and being ranked 4th in WPIAL. The first round of the playoffs they faced Seton LeSalle. The first half was packed with action- through balls, headers, two well worked goals created with teamwork. The girls were confident going into the second half with a lead, and were hungry to get more. Five minutes in, the game was stopped due to a season ending injury from one of the star captains. Though the team was left stunned and unsure what to do next, they kept pushing on. That is, until another ten minutes later, their starter center-back goes down. As she was brought off the field as well, the team adjusted once again. At this point, the Bears have shifted into a more defensive style of play, but their lead still remained. Once more, a senior forward falls down and the game is stopped again. The girls were able to maintain their advantage until the final whistle as they celebrated their victory into the quarterfinals. With players missing, fouls not called, and no result in the attack, the game moved into overtime. When, still, the game was tied, the game went into penalty kicks, and with two shots saved, their season was over.
On a happier note, girls tennis placed second in the section. Marann Buckanovich ‘26 and Elena Clark ‘25 got third in section doubles and went on to play in states alongside Cecilia Gurgel ‘25 who too made it to states. As a team, their first round opponent was Chartiers Valley, the 8th seed. Though our girls were the underdog, they won 3-2; first singles, Cecilia, second singles, Maraan, and second doubles, Aliza Shear ‘25 and Raghad Hassan ‘27, pulled through to win the game.
In the second round, the girls faced Knoch. Though it wasn’t the result they were hoping for, Aliza and Raghad won their match to make the opponent fight for their win. In addition, this is the first time the girls tennis team has made it to the second round of playoffs!
Lastly, both cross country teams ended on high notes. The boys team placed fourth in states with Eli DeSimone ‘25 being their top runner and placing 10th in the whole race. Meanwhile, the girls placed third, a new school record! Abby Weinstein ‘26 was the girls’ first runner to cross the finish line and she placed 22nd to earn a well deserved medal. Indie Pascal ‘27 was the second freshman in the whole race.
Congratulations to all fall sports this season!
