Welcome to the
NORTH ALLEGHENY SPORTS NETWORK

The Official Source of North Allegheny Sports

NORTH ALLEGHENY VARSITY BOYS' SOCCER

Photo by Acrees Gallery North

TIGERS DROP FINALE, 4-1, TO CATHEDRAL PREP 

Playoff Brackets and Scores Listed Below

  On Saturday afternoon at Newman Stadium, the Tiger lost their final game of the season, 4-1, to Cathedral Prep from Erie.  Junior Justin Runkle scored the only NA goal of the contest.  The Tigers trailed by only a 1-0 score at halftime, but the Ramblers broke it open in the second half.

Since this was the last game for the Tiger seniors, Coach Schwarz started an all-senior squad.  NA did not play well in the first half, looking out of synch at times, but trailed only 1-0 at the break. 

In the second half, Eddie Savage scored on a breakaway in the 8th minute when the offside trap was not called by the referee.  From this point on, Coach Schwarz substituted liberally allowing all of his players to see varsity playing time in the last game.  In the 29th minute, Runkel scored his 6th goal of the year, on an assist from senior Steve Hucko, as NA cut the margin to 3-1.  Prep came back to score again in the last minute to record a 4-1 victory as the Tigers' season and Coach Schwarz' career came to an end.

With the loss, the Tigers final overall record fell to 7-10-3.  Unofficially, by our count, coach Bruno Schwarz finished the season with a record of 529-191-50, an outstanding career as the top coach in western Pennsylvania and one of the best in the entire country.  Coach Schwarz coached the Tigers to WPIAL championships in 1975, 1976, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1999.  NA won the state championship in 2000 and earned runnerup trophies in 1975, 1996, and 1999.  Coach Schwarz has indicated that he may retire from teaching after the school year.

(On a personal note, I consider Bruno Schwarz a personal friend after being a teaching compatriot of his since he came to NA in the 1960s.  Bruno is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  Over the years, he has given to the NA community years of support, advice, and friendship to the students and soccer players at North Allegheny!  His compassion, desire to excel, and the ability to do it the right way will mark his legacy to the North Allegheny School District.  I personally congratulate Bruno for an outstanding career as a teacher and a coach!!!!! 
- Don Vandergrift)

GAME SUMMARY
CATHEDRAL PREP - 4  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GAME STATISTICS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WPIAL CLASS AAA BOYS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NORTH HILLS NIPS NA, 1-0, IN SECTION FINALE

The Tigers closed out their section season with a 1-0 loss to North Hills at Martorelli Stadium on Thursday night.  It was Senior Recognition Night at North Hills and the Indians were looking for their first section win of the season.  In addition, long time North Hills Coach Sal Marsico was honored at halftime and had a soccer field at Reis Run Park named after him.  The Indians had a lot of extra incentive in the game.

In the game, however, the Tigers dominated everywhere but on the scoreboard.  Early on, NA set the tone, controlled the ball, created many opportunities but could not score.  Juniors Kevin Kearney and Justin Runkel had great individual chances but could not find the back of the net.  The teams went to the intermission in a scoreless tie.

In the second half, Kearney was able to penetrate the NH defense in the second minute but could not beat Indian goalie John Bauer.  Five minutes later, Runkel had a great chance in a 1 v 1 situation but Bauer was able to deny him with a kick save.  It looked like it would be a matter of time before NA would score, but in the 19th minute, the unpredictable happened!  A bouncing ball near the touchline at midfield was headed out of bounds, and NA senior sweeper Chad King waited for it to go out.  Suddenly, a North Hills player stole and ball and raced toward the NA goal.  Senior Tiger GK Andrew Jones came out to cut the angle but the Indians were able to slide the ball into the net.  Trailing 1-0, the Tigers tried desperately to equalize but hurried the remaining opportunities.  North Hills came away with a 1-0 victory.

The Tigers had 13 corner kicks to just one for North Hills, a good indication of the NA dominance in the game.  NA held the ball in North Hills territory for most of the game, but could not score.  As Coach Bruno Schwarz put it, "It was a very frustrating loss!"

The loss put the final NA section record at 4-6-2, good for 4th place in section play.  Overall, the Tigers dropped to 7-9-3 with one game to play.  NA will close out the season on Saturday afternoon with a non-section game against Cathedral Prep from Erie.  Game time at Newman Stadium is set for 1:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH HILLS - 1  NORTH ALLEGHENY -  0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GAME STATISTICS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS BLANK SHALER, 3-0

The Tigers traveled to Shaler on Tuesday night and came back with a 3-0 victory over the Titans in a Section 2 contest.  After a scoreless first half, the Tigers took control after the intermission to score three times and earn the victory.  Junior MF Ryan Croker led the way with a pair of goals with junior forward Kevin Kearney scoring the other goal.  

Shaler controlled much of the first half as the Tigers had difficulty getting into the rhythm of the game.  NA played good defense and had two great scoring opportunities.  Chances by Kearney and senior forward Ryan Honsaker were stopped by the Shaler goalkeeper, and the teams went to the intermission scoreless.

In the second half, Croker gave the Tigers the spark necessary.  According to Coach Bruno Schwarz, "He was very effective on the right flank and gave the Shaler defense trouble."   In the 4th minute, Croker broke through and shot hard and low.  The Shaler keeper made the save but could not hold onto the ball.  Kearney was right there to put it home as NA took a 1-0 advantage.  In the 16th minute, senior MF Derek Foy split the Shaler defense on a diagonal pass and Croker was able to hit the inside of the far post to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.  Four minutes later, Croker broke through again; this time, his shot was deflected by a Shaler defender and dropped over the head of the keeper as the Tigers took a commanding 3-0 lead.  At that point, the game was decided, and Coach Schwarz was able to send his entire bench into the game to see game action.  Senior GK Andrew Jones recorded the shutout.  According to Coach Schwarz, "Ryan Croker was the Player of the Match for his performance in the 2nd half."

The win improved the NA section record to 4-5-2, the overall mark to7-8-3.  The Tigers jumped over Shaler into fourth place, but were officially eliminated from the playoff race by Seneca Valley's 4-1 win over North Hills.  The Tigers will travel to North Hills tomorrow night for the section finale against the Indians.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm at Martorelli Stadium.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SHALER - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GAME STATISTICS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS PLAY HAMPTON TOUGH BUT DROP A 1-0 DECISION

Click here to listen to a replay of the game!

Coach Bruno Schwarz's Tigers stayed with #2 ranked Hampton for most of the night but dropped a 1-0 decision to the section leaders.  Senior Jedd Cordisco scored on a well-placed shot from 40 yards out early in the second half to give the Talbots the victory.  Hampton had the better of the play, but the Tigers had opportunities.

After both sides started slowly in the first half, Hampton junior forward Tim Ubinger had a chance from the left side, but senior GK Andrew Jones made a good save on the low shot.  Less than two minutes later, Tiger forward Ryan Honsaker had the best NA scoring opportunity of the game.  Honsaker came in from the right side and shot with his left foot back to the right.  He had senior GK Pat Finnegan leaning left, but the shot missed the right corner.  Senior forward Sean Regan almost put Hampton ahead in the 28th minute, but his header hit the left post.  Sophomore Ross Howat made a nice move along the baseline in the 34th minute, but Jones made a diving save on his attempted cross to a breaking Regan.  Regan came back again three minutes later with a laser shot from 25 yards, but the ball skipped off the top of the crossbar.  With just 20 seconds left, sophomore forward Chet Gapczynski had a great chance to give NA a halftime lead.  On a long pass downfield, Finnegan came out of the box to challenge.  Gapczynski was able to get the ball around Finnegan but could control the rolling ball as time ran out.  The teams went to the intermission in a scoreless tie.

Early in the second half, Cordisco launched a high long drive from about 40 yards away on the right side and hit the upper left hand corner of the net to give the Talbots a 1-0 lead.  The goal energized Hampton as Jones had to make two good saves to keep the game close.  Senior MF Bryce Foster had his hard shot stopped by Jones in the 6th minute, and Regan was robbed by Jones who made a diving save just two minutes later.  After surviving the Hampton siege, the Tigers regrouped.  In the 13th minute, senior defender Steve Hucko sent junior forward Kevin Kearney down the middle, but Kearney's shot went wide left.  Five minutes later, Kearney intercepted a Talbot clearing pass and blasted a shot that sailed high and wide from 25 yards away.

For the remainder of the half, the Talbot defense was able to keep the Tigers at bay while continuing the attack.  In the 22nd minute, Regan got another good scoring chance from the left side but his shot hit the outside of the NA net.  With 12:19 remaining, Jones picked up a yellow card for a foul inside the box.  With Jones having to sit out, senior GK Patrick Mohrbacher had to come in cold and face a penalty shot.  The Tiger senior made a diving save to his right to keep NA in the game, still trailing by only one goal.  It was a remarkable performance and earned Morhbacher the Player of the Game from the North Allegheny Sports Network.  Cordisco had another good opportunity in the 33rd minute but his shot was blocked wide of the goal.  Physical play picked up down the stretch as NA was given a red card and had to play the last five minutes a man down.

It was a great effort by the Tigers against a very good Hampton team.  Only a masterful shot by one of the best players in the WPIAL was the difference as Hampton took home a 1-0 victory.  Both teams had three corner kicks. The loss dropped the NA section record to 3-5-2, 6-8-3 overall.  Hampton extended their section mark to 10-0-0, their season record to 14-0-2.  The Tigers will be back in action tonight when they travel to Shaler to meet the Titans in a 7:30 pm section contest.  NA will complete section play on Thursday night when they travel to North Hills.

GAME SUMMARY
HAMPTON - 1  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS UPSET MT. LEBANON, 3-1, ON SENIOR NIGHT

Coach Bruno Schwarz's Tigers defeated the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils, 3-1, on Saturday night at Newman Stadium.   It was Senior Night at Newman Stadium, where the NA Soccer Booster club recognizes and honors the senior soccer players for their time, effort and contribution to the NA soccer program.  Since it was Senior Night, every senior started.  Andrew Jones played the first half in goal with Patrick Mohrbacher taking over for the second half.

The Tigers jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the fourth minute when senior MF Derek Foy converted on a pass from senior defender Chris Hoffman.  With NA playing with confidence and enthusiasm, the Tigers kept the ball in the Lebo half of the field.   In the 19th minute, junior Kevin Kearney scored on a solo run from forty yards out, beating two defenders and drilling a low, hard shot to the far right side of the goal to give NA a 2-0 advantage.  Two minutes before the intermission, Foy scored again, heading in a corner kick from junior Ryan Croker as the Tigers took a commanding 3-0 lead to halftime.

In the second half, Mt. Lebanon tried to get back into the game, but the NA defense, led by senior Chad King, kept the Blue Devils at bay.  Dylan Schweers did pick up a consolation goal in the 59th minute of the game when he beat Mohrbacher with a perfectly placed shot into the upper right hand corner of the net.  Foy had a chance for the hat trick in the closing moments of the game but was denied by the Lebo GK.

Senior Night gave the Tigers an extra incentive and they put forth a brilliant performance.  "It was a total team effort...the offense came alive...one of our better efforts, if not the best effort of the year.  The kids were involved, inspired and played with great enthusiasm.  It was a 'magical' night", according to Coach Bruno Schwarz.

 The win improved the NA record to 6-7-3 while Lebo fell to 8-6-2 on the season.  The Blue Devils are the #9 ranked team by MSA Sports.  The Tigers will be back in action on Monday night when they host the Hampton Talbots in an important section contest.  Hampton defeated NA, 4-0, earlier in the season.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:30 pm.  The game is the second game of a soccer doubleheader and is scheduled to begin at 7:45 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  MT. LEBANON - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BETHEL PARK NIPS TIGERS, 2-1

Bethel Park scored a late second half goal to edge the Tigers, 2-1, at Newman Stadium on Thursday night.  NA had taken a 1-0 lead early in the first half on a goal by junior Kevin Kearney.  The Blackhawks tied the game just before half time, and scored the game winner with just 1:34 remaining in regulation time.  Bethel Park entered the game ranked by the Post-Gazette as the sixth best team in the WPIAL.

The Tigers got on the board first when Kearney converted on a pass from senior MF Brendan Flaherty just six minutes into the contest.  The goal gave the Tigers some confidence, and they responded by playing exciting and entertaining soccer.  Bethel Park, however, shocked the Tigers by scoring on a corner kick by Kyle Ferlic with just five seconds remaining in the half.  The teams went to the intermission tied at 1-1.

Early in the second half, the Tigers had a great opportunity to take the lead when they received a penalty kick.  Unfortunately, the Tigers could not convert.  NA remained aggressive and played attacking soccer.  Senior Steve Hucko was able to head a corner kick on goal that beat the Bethel Park GK, but a Blackhawk defender was able to clear the ball off the line.   Just when it looked like the teams were headed to overtime, Bethel Park's attacking midfielder Matt Paglia was able to score on a low hard shot to give BP a 2-1 lead with just 1:34 remaining.

Coach Bruno Schwarz on Bethel Park:  "Bethel Park showed why they are one of the top teams in the WPIAL... they are big, strong on the ball, quick, technically sound and don't waste touches... their transition game was very impressive."  On NA: "We demonstrated that we can play with them.  From the 18 to the 18, we can compete with anyone.  However in the box we struggle to score."

It was a great high school soccer game.  Senior GK Patrick Mohrbacher played extremely well in goal, making 10 saves.  Senior Chad King was outstanding at sweeper while junior Kevin Kearney had a strong game at forward.

(Our thanks to Coach Schwarz for the info in this report!)

GAME SUMMARY
BETHEL PARK - 2  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GAME STATISTICS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS DROP DOUBLE OVERTIME DECISION TO SENECA VALLEY, 1-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

After dominating play for much of the game, the Tigers gave up the winning goal with just 58 seconds remaining in the second overtime period as Seneca Valley captured a 1-0 victory.  Senior Adbul Selim got the game winner for the Raiders as time was running out.  The Tigers threatened on numerous occasions but could not finish.

In the first half, the Tigers put pressure on the Seneca defense early in the game.  After senior GK Andrew Jones made good save on a high header at the 34:53 mark, NA controlled the action for the next five minutes.  In the eleventh minute, junior Keith Kearney took a pass from junior Justin Runkel and broke through the Seneca defense.  His hard shot hit the left post and was cleared by the Raiders.  On a counter attack, senior Zach Nichols blasted a shot from 20 yards away that went high over the NA goal.  In the 17th minute, senior Justin Nock of Seneca struck a hard shot from the left side that Jones was able to save.

The Tigers had a second opportunity to score when Runkel broke free but his shot rolled wide left with 15:32 remaining in the half.  A minute later, sophomore Scott Kinder shot from the left side, but Jones made a diving save.  Neither team threatened in the remaining time, and the teams went to the intermission in a scoreless tie.

In the second half, the Tigers continued to apply pressure.  The Rams, however, were able to counterattack in the 8th minute when Ryan Elser got loose on a breakaway.  Senior defender Chad King made a great block from behind to stop Elser and keep the game scoreless.  In the 13th minute, junior Ryan Croker picked up a rebound in the box, but his turning shot was wide.  Later in the 22nd minute, Elser got free again but King was there to get a foot on his shot from 15 yards away.  NA continued to pressure the Raiders.  In the 31st minute, the ball was loose in the penalty area after a collision with Rams GK David Monteleone, but the Tigers were unable to take advantage.  Tiger senior MF Brendan Flaherty had a chance with 8:35 left, but his shot went high and wide.  Both teams turned cautious in the remaining time, and regulation ended with neither team able to score.

In the first overtime period, the Tigers came out strong.  Monteleone stopped Kearney just 55 seconds into the extra period.  Later, Brendan Flaherty had a chance but was stopped.  The first overtime ended with the game still scoreless.  After Kearney was stopped with 6:29 remaining in the second overtime, the Raiders began to apply pressure.  The NA defense was up to the occasion until the last minute when Selim broke free in front of the goal.  The Raider senior made no mistake as he drilled the winning goal past Jones with just 58 seconds remaining.

It was a tough loss for the Tigers who played well.  The NA domination was reflected in the corner kick total as the Tigers posted seven and Seneca only one.  The defeat dropped the NA section record to 3-4-2, the overall mark to 5-6-3.  For his defensive efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Chad King as the Player of the Game.  The Tigers will be back in action again on Thursday night when they host Bethel Park in a non-section contest.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
SENECA VALLEY - 1  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS TIE PINE-RICHLAND, 1-1

The Tigers played a 1-1 tie with #5 Pine-Richland at Newman Stadium on Thursday night.  The Tiger goal was scored by junior forward Kevin Kearney who headed in a cross from senior Ryan Honsaker.  The Rams were able to score in the second half to tie the game at 1-1.  Neither team was able to score in the two overtime periods.

"It was one of the best performances of the year," according to Tiger Head Coach Bruno Schwarz.  "We had Pine Richland baffled...we put them on their heels in the first half.  We won the 50/50 balls and put pressure on them."  The pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Honsaker beat the defender and turned the corner.  The senior forward then sent a cross into the 6 yard box where Kearney was able to head it into to the net.  

In the second half, Pine-Richland relied on their speed and quickness to get back into the game.  The Rams got the equalizer in the 56th minute when Nick Badaracco headed in a cross.  In the two overtime periods, the Rams were stronger in the first, but the Tigers had the better of the play in the second.  Neither team could score, however, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The tie moved the NA section record to 3-3-2, 5-5-3 overall.  The Tigers have put themselves in a good position to make a run at the playoffs.  The first test will come on Monday night when NA hosts Seneca Valley (4-4-0).  Seneca won the first game, 2-0, at Seneca Valley earlier in the season.  Monday's game originally was scheduled for Tuesday but was changed because of the NASH Open House.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:00 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 6:15 pm with the girls' game with Pine-Richland to follow.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1  PINE-RICHLAND - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GAME STATS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS BOUNCE BUTLER, 2-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

After a scoreless first half, the Tigers got second half goals by junior forward Justin Runkel and senior midfielder Derek Foy to defeat the Butler Golden Tornado, 2-0, at Newman Stadium on Tuesday night.  The Tiger defense kept the Tornado off the board with aggressive play that shut down the Butler attack in the second half.  Senior GK Andrew Jones earned the shutout.

The first half had a number of opportunities, but neither team could finish.  The Tigers came out strong and dominated the first ten minutes.  Junior Keith Kearney broke loose in the fifth minute but shot high over the goal.  One minute later, sophomore midfielder Chet Gapczynski blasted a low shot from20 yards, but it sailed wide.  Butler's sophomore forward Doug Moran came back in the sixth minute from thirty yards but Jones stopped his attempt.  Foy's header on a corner kick in the tenth minute also went wide.  

Slowly, the momentum changed in the first half with Butler frustrating the Tigers with an offside trap.  It looked like the strategy would pay off in the 26th minute when sophomore MF Kevin McCune set up Moran at the left post but his shot went off the post.  Kearney broke through the Tornado defense in the 29th minute and scored, but he was offside.  Three minutes later,  senior midfielder Brendan Flaherty let a hard shot go from 25 yards on the right side but Butler GK Evan Gould made a good save.  In the final five minutes, Butler had two great chances to take a halftime lead.  Sophomore forward Ben Horner sent a cross through the box that Moran could not get a foot on in the 36th minute.  With just 1:57 left, it was Moran again taking a pass from Horner, but his shot went high and wide.  The teams went to the intermission with no score from either side.

In the second half, the Tigers dominated.  NA attacked the offside trap with long passes down the right side.  In the 8th minute, Kearney came close again but his shot went wide to the left of the Butler goal.  In the 12th minute, Foy sent a cross to the far side and senior forward Ryan Honsaker made a diving attempt that hit the far post.  The intensity and physical play picked up at this point with NA receiving a yellow card.  Just after the halfway point of the half, senior forward Brian Morris pushed a pass through the Tornado defense to a wide open Runkel.  The Tiger junior made no mistake this time as he drove a low shot just to the right of Gould to give the Tigers the all-important first goal and a 1-0 advantage.

The Tiger defense, led by seniors Chad King and Steve Hucko, took over at this point limiting Butler to harmless attempts at long range.  NA scored again with 8:32 remaining when junior Elliot Burdwood sent a perfect cross in front of the net and Foy was able to head it into the far corner.  Burdwood made several long runs down the right side earlier after coming off the bench, and his hustle paid off in the second NA score.  The Tigers had one more chance in the 34th minute, but Gapczynski could not get  foot on a Kearney cross.  The Tigers kept Butler off the board for the remainder of the game and captured a 2-0 victory.

It was a good team effort by the Tigers.  After being frustrated by the Butler defensive strategy in the first half, NA came out with more patience after the break and went back to their short passing game to control the ball.  Coach Schwarz inserted a number of players into the lineup to keep the pressure on Butler and it paid off handsomely.  For his efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Justin Runkel as the Player of the Game.

The win improved the NA section record to 3-3-1, the overall mark to 5-5-1.  The Tigers are back in action tomorrow night when they host second-place Pine-Richland.  It will be a tough test for NA as the Rams downed the Tigers, 3-0, at PR earlier in the season.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Newman Stadium.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  BUTLER - 0

 INDIVIDUAL SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PLUM SHUTS DOWN TIGERS, 3-0

The Tigers traveled to #4-ranked Plum on Saturday afternoon looking to upset the Mustangs.  After the Tigers played well early, Plum was able to net two first half goals on their way to a 3-0 victory.  The Mustangs had come into the game with a 6-0 section record, a 7-1 mark for the season.

For a while, an upset looked like a definite possibility as NA controlled play in the 1st fifteen minutes.  The Tigers created six clear scoring opportunities but could not convert.  NA had Plum baffled, and the Mustangs seemed lethargic and over confident.  In the 18th minute, however, Plum was awarded a free kick from 35 yards out.  Leading scorer Pat McAffey rifled a shot underneath the crossbar to beat NA goalkeeper Patrick Mohrbacher, who was making only his 2nd varsity start.  From then on, it was an even game with Plum gaining a little more confidence.  With four minutes left in the half, it was McAffey scoring again, this time on a low hard shot from 25 yards out that found the far side of the goal.  Plum took a 2-0 lead to the intermission.

In the second half, the Tigers tried desperately to get back into the game but were unable to score.  Plum put the game away in the closing minutes when NA turned the ball over, and Paradise was able to chip the ball over Mohrbacher's head.  The Mustangs controlled play in the final minutes and captured a 3-0 decision.  Coach Bruno Schwarz commented, "We missed the opportunity to upset a top ten team...we had our chances but failed to convert."

The loss dropped the NA record to 4-5-2 on the season.  The Tigers will host Butler tomorrow night in a section game at Newman Stadium.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:30 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 7:45 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
PLUM - 3  NORTH ALLEGHENY  - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LUTZ'S GOAL STOPS NORTH HILLS, 1-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Senior Brad Lutz scored on a rebound in the 16th minute of the second half to give the Tigers a hard-fought 1-0 victory over North Hills at Newman Stadium on Thursday night.  Both teams had opportunities in the first half but were unable to finish.  A little over three minutes into the game, Indian senior midfielder Phil Belcastro hit the right post after a good pass from senior MF Mike Schubring.   Two minutes later, NA forward Kevin Kearney's attempt from 20 yards went high and wide.  The Tigers had a chance at the in the 17th minute but senior MF Derek Foy was beaten to a loose ball by NH goalkeeper John Bauer.  In the 23rd minute on a corner kick, Kearney's header went over the goal.  Senior Brendan Flaherty had three chances in the last eleven minutes.  Sophomore Chet Gapczynski sent a corner kick high into the box, but Flaherty hit the crossbar and the rebound was cleared.  Flaherty's attempt in the 34th minute was stopped by Bauer, and his attempt with 1:05 remaining went wide.  The Indians came back in the 35th minute when Schubring stole the ball in the NA third.  Schubring broke loose on the right side and crossed the ball to junior Sebastian Dovernor.  Only a great defensive effort by the Tigers' Joey Pezze kept Dovenor from getting a clear shot at goal.  North Hills almost scored again with 2:58 left when Schubring blocked NA goalkeeper Andrew Jones' clearing attempt but the ball rolled wide.  The teams went to the intermission in a scoreless game.

The physical play picked up in the second half, but both teams were a little more cautious after committing a number of first-half turnovers.  NH junior midfielder Devin Williams broke loose down the right side in the ninth minute but Jones made the save.  The Tigers had an opportunity to take the lead in the fourteenth minute when Brendan Flaherty sent a high cross into the box, but Foy's header went wide.  Coach Schwarz went to his bench and sent three fresh players into the game.  The move paid off almost immediately when the Tigers attacked the NH goal.  After an initial shot was blocked, Lutz drove home the rebound to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.  The Tiger defense, led by seniors Steve Hucko and Chad King,  took over and allowed only one NH opportunity.  In the 38th minute, Schubring had a chance at the top of the box but his shot was blocked and went wide.

After a first half that saw NA turn the ball over at times, the Tigers came back in the second half to control the ball and dominate territorially.   NA had six corner kicks, North Hills two.  For his game-winning efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Brad Lutz as the Player of the Game.  The win lifted the NA section record to 2-3-1 and put them back in the race for a playoff spot; the overall mark improved to 4-4-1.  The Tigers will travel to Plum tomorrow afternoon to meet the Mustangs in a 2:30 pm non-section contest.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1  NORTH HILLS - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TIGERS TIE SHALER, 3-3

In a game of two different halves, the Tigers tied the Shaler Titans, 3-3, at Newman Stadium on Tuesday night.  The game was originally scheduled for Shaler, but remnants of last week's flooding forced a change of venue.  The Tigers controlled the first half, building a 2-0 lead at halftime.  NA surprised the Titans with their ball possession and finishing.  Junior forward Justin Runkel got the Tigers on the board first in the 23rd minute on assists from senior MF Brendan Flaherty.  Junior forward Kevin Kearney increased the lead to 2-0 on an assist by senior defender Joey Pezze.  

Shaler came out determined in the second half and stepped it up a notch.  Nick Simakas got loose on a breakaway and beat senior GK Andrew Jones in the 15th minute as Shaler cut the lead to 2-1.  The Titans put on the pressure and tied the game at 2-2 in the 29th minute when Jerry Dickinson scored on a scramble in front of the Tiger goal.  The Tigers came back, however, to retake the lead when junior midfielder Ryan Croker set up Kearney on a corner kick and the Tiger junior headed the ball to the corner of the net.  With four minutes remaining in regulation, Dickinson scored again, this time on a side volley from 25 yards out to send the game into overtime.    

Neither team was able to score in the overtime periods and the game ended as a 3-3 tie.  It was a well played game between two rivals with lots of excitement and end to end action.  Coach Bruno Schwarz commented, "The team is starting to play with some confidence and can compete with anyone."

With the tie, the NA section record stands at 1-3-1, the overall mark at 3-4-2.  The Tigers will host archrival North Hills tomorrow night at Newman Stadium.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:15 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SHALER AREA - 3

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GAME STATS

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

WPIAL CLASS AAA
SECTION 2 STANDINGS
FINAL STANDINGS

* - qualified for WPIAL playoffs

SCORES

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RANKINGS

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
CLASS AAA
as of 10/19/04

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
CLASS AAA
as of 10/18/04

MSA SPORTS NETWORK
CLASS AAA
as of 10/25/04

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WPIAL BOYS' SOCCER - 2004

The Tigers will compete again in Class AAA with 32 other teams this year.  The top three (3) teams and ties will enter the WPIAL tournament.  All playoff entries will be determined by section reocrd only and will be determined by the best section win/lost record.  Ties will be broken by the following method:  two points for a win, one point for a tie  (minus points for losses will not be applied this year!).  Teams that tie for first place will not have the tie broken and both will be declared co-champions and each will receive a section winner's plaque.  Those two teams will enter the tournament and the second place team will enter as the third section representative.  In the event of a tie for second or third place, the tie breaker system will be employed.  If a tie persists, head to head competition will determine the qualifier.  In the event of a multiple tie the following tie breaker will be employed:

1.  Section records of the tied teams will be compiled.
2.  The team that has the best numerical record among the tied teams will be the qualifier.
3.  If the tie cannot be clearly broken, all tied teams will enter the tournament.

Teams that qualify for the tournament should be aware that they may be placed in a preliminary round and may be assigned to play the weekend prior to the first round of the tournament.

Each game will consist of two equal halves of 40 minutes each.  If a regular season game (exhibition or section) ends in a tie, two ten minute overtime periods will be played.  If a tie persists at that point, the game is over and is recorded as a tie.  In post-season play, the procedure to determine a game winner will be the state adopted method of the National Federation soccer rules book.

PIAA qualifiers - five (5) AAA teams will qualify for the state championship bracket on a follow-the-winner basis.

Players and coaches who receive hard red cards and are disqualified from any game by the game official will not be permitted to participate in the next scheduled game played by their team at the same level of competition.  Repeated red card offenders will be subjected to more severe penalties.

CLASS AAA - 33 TEAMS

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org