Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Bethel Park, PA - The Indiana boys' soccer team and longtime legendary Head Coach Todd Myers went into Saturday's contest against #4 seeded Bethel Park as heavy underdogs, but that didn't deter them from competiting in what some might say is the WPIAL soccer Game of the Year. 

Bethel Park came into the game heavily favored, coming off a regular season where they went 15-3-1 overall and a perfect 13-0-1 in AAA Section 3. Bethel Park outscored opponents 70-14 through 19 regular season contests, averaging over three goals per game. Indiana, on the other hand, came into the game with a 6-10-1 record overall while going 5-7 in AAA Section 1. Indiana was outscored 34-29 through 17 regular season contests averaging just below two goals a game. 

While one might assume on paper this contest would be lopsided before it began, this actual game itself was everything but. Both teams were trading offensive possessions and defense was the name of the game. Led by Noah Weigner, Tristan Redinger, Matthew Blystone, and Wesley Bennett, Indiana was holding their ground. With trusty keeper Alex Bauer in goal, Indiana had full confidence on the defensive side of the ball. 

It was the end of regulation after a ton of back and forth play with the score still knotted 0-0. The first overtime period flew by, seemingly the same style of play from both teams. At the 10:30 mark of the second overtime, goalkeeper Alex Bauer had a game saving stop. As the period went on, the fatigue didn't set in as it was still back and forth by both teams. When the second overtime period ended, it was going to come down to a 5 vs. 5 shootout. 

Indiana was up first when Moath Alanazi sent his kick to the back of the net. Bethel Park answered with a goal of their own. Indiana sent Tim Birch up for the second penalty kick and he knocked it through with Bethel Park's kick going wide right. Russell Crane was the third choice for Indiana and he was good with his kick. Alex Bauer had a big time save on Bethel Park's third penalty kick. Indiana needed one more successful penalty kick to win the game and they put that on the shoulders of Junior Tyler Hunter who did just that. With the four successful penalty kicks to Bethel Park's lone successful penalty kick, Indiana secured a victory and the upset. 

Up Next
(#13) Indiana faces off against it's next tough opponent in (#5) Montour on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:00 PM. The game will be held at Montour High School.  

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