Keystone Oaks' three-game winning streak to start the boys' high school soccer season didn't come as a complete surprise to coach Mike Gardner.

"I expected it," the fourth-year coach said. "Last year, I started three to four freshmen and it was probably the best year KO soccer had with a lot of inexperience in the program.

"The combination of those younger players growing up and being able to compete against older opponents on the field along with having that experience from last year is definitely going to help."

After breezing past Brashear and West Mifflin in non-section play, Keystone Oaks took down Washington, 15-0, in its Section 5-AA opener. The fourth-ranked Eagles, however, suffered their first setback, a 3-1 section loss at West Allegheny last Thursday, then played Montour to a 1-1 tie Tuesday.

"We were disappointed in the loss to West Allegheny, but the kids played a good game and have been playing real well," Gardner said. "Both teams played really well and the game could have gone either way. They scored at the very end and we couldn't capitalize on our opportunities.

"That was our first test. Our other games weren't as competitive. West Allegheny is a very good team. We'll have another chance at them [at home on Oct. 1] and we hope to get one on them."

The Eagles were forced to play West Allegheny without the services of junior forward Bryan Natto and senior midfielder Riley Burgunder.

Natto, who scored 23 goals during his sophomore year, sustained a separated shoulder against West Mifflin and is still day-to-day. Burgunder, who missed his entire junior year because of an injury, incurred a broken hand against Brashear and is expected to return in about two weeks.

"They are a pretty important pair," Gardner said. "Not having two players such as them can change the face of a team, especially because we're not that deep. We could definitely have used their help."

Keystone Oaks has been relying on star senior midfielder Anthony Virgara. A Post-Gazette All-Area selection who scored 18 goals last year, Virgara is considered one of the WPIAL's top talents. He scored nine goals in the team's first four games, including a season-high five against Washington and Keystone Oaks' lone score against West Allegheny.

"Anthony is a tremendous player," Gardner said. "He makes everyone on the field better when he's around them; they raise their level of play.

"Anthony has gotten much better in the past year and he has embraced the leadership role."

And to Gardner, attitude on the field is everything.

"They have to keep their heads in the game or they come off [the field]," he said. "If they turn their back to the ball, they're going to get pulled. Our team philosophy is to be there for their teammates and a lot of kids have that in their heads.

"They understand that they have to challenge and do what it takes to win. That's the attitude we've instilled and they have accepted it."

Gardner hasn't been disappointed, either.

"They're playing collectively," he said. "We're possessing the ball and building out of the back. Keeping the ball -- just like time of possession in the NFL is important -- has helped us because we're not chasing the ball down. We're creating chances and it's worked out well.

"The guys are understanding their roles within the team and know what they have to do to be successful. That's a great strength of the group. We still have to get stronger and play and train hard every day."

The Eagles' next seven games -- all section matches -- will be key toward their success this season.

"Those games are going to be huge," Gardner said Monday. "We have Montour and then Chartiers Valley coming up and we definitely cannot go 0-3 against some of the bigger teams in our section.

"We have to score points in these games. With us missing two guys right now, it's important that typical role players step up and guys who usually don't see the field that much also step up to compensate."

That's because Gardner and the Eagles are eyeing a section crown.

"That's our goal," he said. "The program probably hasn't won [a section title] in 20 years. Our goal is to win the section, go into the WPIAL playoffs and get into the state tournament.

"Winning a state title would be awesome, but we're not setting too big of goals right now. We know there are good teams out there and it starts in our section. I think most people believe West Allegheny and us are probably two of the best teams. They're good, but we can beat them ... I believe we're capable of beating them."