Belle Vernon Area boys' soccer coach John Kerekes called Tuesday's game the best of the season for his Leopards.
And any time you beat a rival, it's even sweeter.
The Leopards topped Yough, 4-1, in a Class AA, Section 4 contest on Cougar Mountain.
“We really wanted to get back into playing team soccer,” Kerekes said. “We wanted to focus on one another using teammates to your advantage. We really got away from that the last couple games.”
Tyler Chiste scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season for BVA (5-2, 3-1) to start the scoring 20 minutes into the game.
Three minutes later, Bobby Timko scored his first goal of the season to make it 2-0.
Bad luck cost Yough (1-5, 1-4) as BVA's Jackson Guess added a goal off of a free kick that glanced off a Cougars defender. Hunter Martin closed the scoring for the Leopards with 11 minutes to go.
“I thought we played a well-organized game. We really played well as a team,” Kerekes said. “It's definitely the best team game we played this season. I hope it continues.”
BVA resumes play at 8 p.m. Thursday when it hosts Elizabeth Forward.
Carrick 3, Monessen 2, OT
Monessen staked itself to a 2-1 halftime lead but couldn't hold on, falling in overtime in a non-section contest.
Tyler Caterino and Dale Kozar each scored for the Greyhounds (4-3-1), but the Raiders (4-3) rallied to tie it in the second half.
Carrick got the game winner three minutes into overtime.
“We just didn't play well at all,” Monessen coach Sam Perry said. “It's immaturity. We're a young team and made too many mistakes. We had six breakaways and didn't score on any of them ... just too many missed opportunities.”
The Greyhounds resume Section 4-A play at 5 p.m. Thursday at Geibel.
Beth-Center 1, Charleroi Area 0
The Cougars launched 40 shots, had 12 corner-kick opportunities and failed to score a goal in a shutout to the Bulldogs in a 4-A contest.
B-C (4-2, 4-1) finished with only eight shots and three corner kicks, but managed to score on a free kick for their lone goal.
“We have to find someone to put the ball in the net or it's going to be a long season,” a dejected Charleroi coach Tom Cameron said.
The Cougars (4-3, 2-2) resume section play Thursday at California Area.
California Area 4, Washington 0
The Trojans (2-3, 2-3) rolled over the Prexies (1-5, 1-5) in 4-A play.
Cal will host Charleroi for a section contest at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Bentworth 6, Geibel 1
Chad Gurdish scored five goals as the Bearcats (6-2-1, 5-0-0) rolled over the Gators (0-7, 0-4) in a Section 4-A match.
Steel Valley 2, Elizabeth Forward 1
The Warriors (3-4-1) fell at previously winless Steel Valley (1-9) in a non-section match.
