Following last year's winning record, Avon-worth boys' soccer took to a full two weeks of two-a-day practices to prepare for the upcoming season, with the goal being to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs from which they are four years removed.

Last Friday the 'Lopes opened their regular season against host Eden Academy, with it becoming apparent that the 95-plus degree heat would be a factor.

Scoring opened up quickly at only 3 minutes in on a long ball from sophomore defenseman Andrew Mucha to the back post, where senior forward Jack McKay was able to guide in goal number one. Avonworth continued the offensive pressure on the Warriors with a flurry of scoring chances that went wide of the mark.

Subsequently 30 minutes in, Eden managed to get their own scoring chance, which they capitalized on when a cross that trickled through the Avonworth defense caught the foot of Eden's Gabe Manges for an equalizer goal just before halftime. The goal sent both teams drenched, bruised and tied into halftime.

With the second half starting off, the heat came into effect. Avonworth coach Tom Angell was forced periodically to make substitutions due to cramping, exhaustion, and minor injuries to a slew of players.

However, despite the heat, senior Matt Kujawinski showed he could be hot with a break-away goal spurred by senior captain Coby Croft at 23 minutes in. He followed up with another goal at 31 minutes in, off a beautiful cross from senior captain Nick Work. This proved to be the dagger in the heart of Eden, as they were shut down by the rock-solid defensive play of the Antelopes.