Boys' Lacrosse Game Summaries

by Lee Mohn

In a WPIAL title game rematch from last season, the reigning champions were ousted from the playoffs by the Mt. Lebanon Devils by a 9-6 final on Thursday night at Newman Stadium. North Allegheny surrendered the first three goals of the game and played from behind the rest of the night. The loss in the WPIAL quarterfinals snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Tigers.

Trailing 3-0 with two minutes remaining in the opening stanza, the Tigers would mount a couple of possessions and scored with 1:21 left in the first period when Isaiah Davis connected for a goal, assisted by Gavin Hagen.  Mt. Lebanon scored two more goals, with one short-handed tally, to build a 5-1 lead.  Ben Maenza bounced a shot past Tucker Welch with 2:22 left in the half and the Tigers trailed by three at intermission, 5-2.

The first couple minutes in the third period belonged to the Tigers but they could not capitalize.  North Allegheny traded goals with Mt. Lebanon, getting a marker from Matt Osten.  Matt Osten scored another goal with .06 in the third but the Tigers trailed by four goals going into the fourth quarter, 8-4.

North Allegheny capped off the scoring in the fourth period with goals from Trevor Saundry and Hagen.  Senior Jack Kairys was named the Wright Automotive player of the game for his defensive effort, leading the team with seven ground balls and collecting three forced errors.  Senior Greg Ferringer notched a team-high four forced errors on defense.

North Allegheny concludes a fine season with a 15-4 record. Congratulations to head coach John Rullan and the boys’ lacrosse team for a another great year.

Boys Lacrosse Summary vs. Mt. Lebanon, 5-18-17

In their final tune-up game before the WPIAL playoffs, the North Allegheny Tigers defeated Thomas Worthington on Saturday, 13-6, at the MSCL Tournament. The Tigers overcame a lopsided amount of penalties and held the opposing team’s attack in check for most of the game. Offensively, the reigning WPIAL champions were led by senior Gavin Hagen who posted a hat trick and an assist.

Joining Hagen on the scoresheet were Wes Powell and Anthony Mauro who netted two goals apiece. Antonio O’Barto, Dillon Dugan, Kyler Byerly, Isaiah Davis, Trevor Saundry and Jake Williams also chipped in with goals.

On defense, Alec Vissotski had four forced errors and was joined by defensemen Greg Ferringer, Jack Kairys and middie Ben Maenza with three Forced Errors each.

Following the MSCL Tournament, Kairys was named first team All-Tournament for his outstanding defense. Ferringer earned second-team accolades, while Hagen, Ben Maenza and O’Barto received honorable mention laurels.

Winners of seven in a row, North Allegheny improves to 15-3 on the season and awaits the WPIAL playoffs this week. The Tigers have a first round bye and will host a quarterfinal game on Thursday night against the winner of the Mt. Lebanon and Butler who will face off on Tuesday. For a look at the WPIAL Class AAA brackets, click here.

Boys Lacrosse Summary vs. Thomas Worthington, 5-13-17

Facing off against some of the top lacrosse competition from outside the area this weekend, the North Allegheny Tigers opened day one of the MSCL Tournament on Friday by defeating Worthington Kilborn by a 7-3 decision. The Tigers held a 4-0 lead at intermission and held off Worthington Kilborn in the second half.

Senior Gavin Hagen led the way with two goals in the first half on his way to a hat trick. Junior Wes Powell scored two goals, and Isaiah Davis and Ben Maenza also added goals for the Tigers. Seeing his first significant action since returning from injury this week, senior Greg Ferringer matched a team-high with five forced errors. Sophomore Antonio O’Barto also posted five forced errors and tallied a team-best five ground balls. Senior Jeremy Osten corralled five ground balls as well.

The Tigers improve to 14-3 overall with the non-section win.

Boys Lacrosse Summary vs. Worthington Kilborn, 5-12-17

The North Allegheny boys’ lacrosse team won its fifth straight game with an impressive 9-3 victory over fourth-ranked Peters Township on Thursday night. Freshman phenom Isaiah Davis posted a hat trick and assisted on two more to lead the offensive attack. Senior Dillon Dugan netted two goals, while Jack Kairys, Wes Powell, Gavin Hagen and Dillon Bugni each tallied markers for the Tigers. Ben Maenza check in with two assists and Alec Vissotski added another.

On defense, Kairys totaled a team-best five forced errors and led the Tigers with seven ground balls. In net, senior goalie Ean Kuska made seven saves for the win.

Also on Thursday, the WPIAL released the Class AAA boys’ lacrosse bracket and North Allegheny received the No. 1 seed and a first round bye. The Tigers will host a quarterfinal round game on Thursday, May 18 against either Mt. Lebanon or Butler who play each other in the first round on Tuesday night. For a look at the WPIAL Class AAA bracket, click here.

With the win over Peters Township, North Allegheny improves to 13-3 overall, while Peters Township falls to 10-6 on the season. The Tigers will take part in the MSCL Tournament this weekend before the WPIAL playoffs next week.

Boys Lacrosse Summary vs. Peters Township, 5-11-17

The night began with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by senior Franco Bochicchio and from that point on the evening belonged to the North Allegheny in a lopsided 16-1 victory over the North Hills Indians on senior night. All 17 seniors saw action and nine of them scored goals, including Brian Kress who netted the first varsity goal in his career.  All of the Tiger seniors were named the Wright Automotive Players of the Game by the North Allegheny Sports Network. The victory also locked up an outright section crown for the Tigers.

Gavin Hagen, Alec Vissotski, Dillon Duggan, Ryan Leonard and Isaiah Davis all tallied two goals apiece in the Tigers onslaught of North Hills. Other NA goal scorers included Anthony Mauro, Cameron Sunseri, Trevor Saundry, Mason Mickey and Peter Barrante. In net, senior goalie Ean Kuska was rarely tested and earned an easy victory. Senior defenseman Greg Ferringer made his return to action after missing a few games due to injury and fellow long-stick defenseman Jack Kairys logged some minutes on offense with a short stick in hand. Senior starting defenseman Jeremy Osten also got the crowd fired up with his first work on offense with a short stick and narrowly missed a goal on a couple of shots.

With the win, North Allegheny finishes as the Section 3-AAA champions with an unblemished 6-0 record. The Tigers also improve to 12-3 overall and will host Peters Township on Thursday night in a tough non-section game. North Hills ends its season with a record of 3-13 overall and 0-6 in the section.

Boys Lacrosse Summary vs. North Hills, 5-9-17