MOON TOWNSHIP — Heading into the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs, top-seeded Moon Area was red-hot after posting a perfect record throughout the regular season.
In the Tiger's first-round matchup against Belle Vernon on Saturday evening, the Tigers continued their success as a strong offensive attack helped defeat the Leopards 6-0.
Moon Area tallied four first-half goals as the offense attacked the Belle Vernon back line, which did not pressure the Tiger midfielders.
“That is our motive every game we play,” Moon Area head coach Tyler Blake said. “We want to get out of the gate quick and run at teams. Belle Vernon wanted to sit back which gave us some trouble initially. As we started to move the ball around and play fast, it opened up a little bit."
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The Tigers did just that as after Steven Carvajal found the back of the net on a header in the ninth minute of the first half, midfielder Evan Thomas scored two quick goals.
Thomas’ first came off of a header off a free kick by Aedan Costa, his second not even a minute later came from a shot just inside of the box which beat Belle Vernon keeper Bryce Burkhart.
“As the six, I am always trying to sit out at the top of the box,” Thomas said. “When I saw my guy run in a line, I just stepped in, when the ball came to me I just needed to get it on net and hit it well.”
Due to the pressure that Moon Area produced up the field, Belle Vernon could not capitalize on any chances offensively.
When the Leopards tried to make a push, the backline held up for the Tigers and pushed the ball up the field back to the offensive.
“The defense wasn’t under duress because of the amount we play down the field,” Blake said. “But they [backline] stayed sharp and when they were needed they knew their role. Billy Sprott does a good job winning balls in the air, John Mark Balbach and Krish Lal all interchange with each other. Having those four that have experience and that have meshed together well, you could see that tonight.”
While the Tigers picked up a first-round victory, Thomas knows that there is much more at stake in the coming days and that the team needs to continue to play with the same energy.
“We hit the standard tonight of where we need to play,” Thomas said. “In practice and every game, we need to make sure we play at the same level we did tonight for the full 80 minutes.”
With the win, the Tigers will now host Hampton on Wednesday evening at Tiger Stadium at a time to be determined.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Moon Area advances in WPIAL playoffs after offense pushes Tigers past Belle Vernon
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