Oct 25, 2024 By Bill Hughes 2 min read

McMURRAY – It took a while for the Bentworth boys soccer team’s offensive juggernaut to get going, but the top-seeded Bearcats scored twice in the second half to down Trinity Christian, 3-0, Wednesday and advance to the WPIAL Class A semifinals.

“This was a tough, tough physical game,” said Bentworth coach Nick Malarbi. “They are a great team and gave us a tough test.

“It wasn’t the 3-1 game we had at our place (on Aug. 26), it was a lot harder of a game. We had to find different ways to score, and we did.”

While Bentworth (16-0) controlled play early against Trinity Christian (11-5-1), a lightning delay, with 14:45 remaining in the first half, caused a 40-minute delay.

“The weather delay threw a wrench into things,” Malarbi said. “But we were able to get things going.”

With 26:14 to play, Aiden McMurray drilled the first goal of the night, and it would be the only goal Bentworth would need.

“Aiden getting that first goal was huge for us,” said Malarbi. “It was an absolute rocket, and it was off of a broken play off of a throw.”

Adam Moessner doubled the Bentworth lead to 2-0 on a head ball with 16:57 to play, and the extra goal gave the Bearcats insurance that they would not lead. Moessner’s older brother, Ryan, added another goal for Bentworth with 7:41 remaining.

“Adam was in the right place at the right time with the header,” Malarbi said. “Ryan got icing on the cake with the third one.”

DJ Hays made two saves in goal to earn Bentworth its sixth straight shutout and 13th overall.

The Bearcats will face Beaver County Christian (15-3), a 2-0 winner over Greensburg Central Catholic, in the semifinals on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

Beaver County Christian played before Bentworth, and that helped Malarbi and his coaching staff.

“We were able to see them, and we will study the film,” he said. “We have to get everyone healthy and get ready for Tuesday.”