The Bald Eagle Area boys’ soccer team enjoyed the best season in program history this fall.
The Eagles reached the district championship game for the first time ever and made their first trip to the state tournament.
BEA’s memorable postseason run ended with a 7-0 loss to District 7 champion Quaker Valley in the first round of the PIAA Class AA tournament on Tuesday night at Hampton High School.
Quaker Valley advances to face Karns City in the quarterfinals Saturday at a site and time to be determined. Karns City edged Harbor Creek 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Bando Grant scored three goals to lead the Quakers (18-4-1).
BEA finished the season with a 14-6-2 record — the best in school history.
“We made mistakes, and they capitalized,” BEA coach Jason Bair said.
Quaker Valley built a 4-0 lead by halftime, thanks in part to those mistakes.
The Eagles swung and missed on a ball that led to a goal. A handball led to another opportunity.
The Quakers, who outshot BEA 16-2, made them pay.
Owen Harkins scored Quaker Valley’s first goal at the 9:18 mark in the first half. Grant added two goals and Fritz Reiter found the back of the net to give their team a 4-0 lead at the break.
Grant scored his final goal and Walter Hubsch scored two goals in the second half.
Bair said his players gained valuable experience going into next season.
“They now see the level of competition when they get to states,” Bair said.
Hunter Etters made six saves for the Eagles, who were the District 6 runner-up.
Bair said he was proud of his players development on and off the field.
“It was a wonderful experience,” Bair said.
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