Tigers Edge Talbots For Weather Shortened Victory

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by Nick Farrell

The last time the North Allegheny Girls Soccer Team met up with Hampton, the two teams battled to a 1-0 finish with the Tigers coming out on top. The second matchup between the two section foes ended with the same result, a 1-0 NA victory.  Although, the rematch was a weather shortened affair due to heavy thunderstorms over Newman Stadium on Thursday night.

Hampton, which entered the match riding a three-game winning streak, came out hot during the first five minutes. A couple of corner kicks in the third minute tested the Tiger defense and senior goalkeeper Madison Martin. Hampton’s Katie Felitsky laced the first corner right at the goal, forcing Martin to touch the ball out of play.

After struggling to keep possession early, North Allegheny split possession with its opponent for the next 20 minutes, tallying four shots while trying to take control of the contest.  In the 11th minute, senior Lauren Briggs rang the post with a shot that nearly caromed into the net. Sophomore forward Amanda Miller had another good scoring opportunity during that sequence. In the 22nd minute, she turned past a Hampton defender and put a rolling shot on target that was stopped by Hampton goalkeeper Trisha Winters.

North Allegheny applied more offensive pressure in the 30th minute, as Briggs had her shot saved by Winters. Miller was on the prowl again a minute later with another scoring chance, thanks to a great setup by senior Ryleigh Gapczynski, who split through the Hampton defense and found her teammate open at the top of the box. This time, Miller’s shot deflected off the hands of Winters and rolled into the net, putting North Allegheny ahead 1-0. Miller was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game by the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Hampton surrendered a few more chances to North Allegheny late in the half; however, shots by seniors Alexa Mermigas and Megan Van Kirk missed their targets. The North Allegheny defense, led by senior Angela Marsico and juniors Emily Lyon and Hannah Stoof, held Hampton to just four shots in the first half.  Van Kirk continued to supply the Tigers with some offense in the second half, forcing a save from Winters from 15 yards out.

Hampton sophomore Amanda Ceravolo gave the Talbots one of their best opportunities in the 45th minute when she was left open on the right side and sent a long shot wide of the far post. A minute later, Ceravolo broke into the penalty area again, but was snuffed by the approaching Martin before she could take a shot.

During the 47th minute, play was suspended due to lightning with North Allegheny still leading 1-0, which serves as the final score in the contest. The Tigers have now won five contests decided by one goal this season, while Hampton is 3-7 in one-goal affairs.

Girls Soccer Summary vs. Hampton 10-3-13

GAME SUMMARY
SCORE BY HALVES12FINAL
Hampton000
North Allegheny101

Girls Soccer Individual Scoring vs. Hampton

INDIVIDUAL STATS
FIRST HALF
Amanda Miller 22nd minute
SECOND HALF
NO SCORING