Tigers shut out Fox Chapel in home opener
by: Bob Orkwis
After starting the season with a split in the Seneca Valley tournament, North Allegheny welcomed Fox Chapel to Newman Stadium for the first home match of the season.
In an intriguing matchup between the Tigers and the Foxes, featuring two teams with eight championship appearances and six titles between 3A and 4A since 2019, North Allegheny netted a late tally in the second half to post a 1-0 victory in an early season contest that ramped up at times between the two squads.
The Tigers had an early chance in the first minute, but after Addison Vrabel’s shot snuck under Fox Chapel keeper Lia Pizzella, but the Foxes defense were able to clear the ball from the crease.
North Allegheny attempted all three free kicks in the first half, and limited the opportunities for Fox Chapel, and the match hit halftime scoreless.
Kayla Schwerin played the first seven minutes of the second half, before starter Jordan Beemer returned to the net for North Allegheny.
Beemer needed to be up to the task, as the reigning Moe Rosensteel Player of the Year winner Emily McKee heated up for the Foxes.
The senior forward blasted shot from twenty-six yards out, that Beemer tracked and punched over the crossbar which led to the game’s only corner kick. North Allegheny was able to defend that set piece opportunity.
Later in the half, on a cross off of a free kick from the right touch line, McKee was able to get a header that caromed towards the far post, but Beemer scurried to her right to stop the shot to keep the match scoreless.
North Allegheny took advantage of a free kick in the 73rd minute to score the game’s only goal.
Senior Kieran Shannon set up the sequence from the right wing with a direct kick from twenty-five yards out that struck the crossbar and bounced straight down on the goal line. In the ensuing scramble, the ball found the foot of fellow senior Bella Montgomery who found the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
The Tigers kept Fox Chapel at bay the rest of the way, and secured the win, handing the Foxes the loss in their season opener.
Making four saves in the second half, including the two crucial stops on McKee, the initial Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors of 2026 went to senior goalkeeper Jordan Beemer.
The win was the second straight for North Allegheny (2-1) and it also marked the second consecutive clean sheet for the Tigers.
North Allegheny gets a short break the rest of the week, as the Tigers are off until they host Upper St. Clair on Saturday morning. That match is slated for an 11:30am kickoff can be heard on the North Allegheny Sports Network.
Girls Soccer Summary vs. Fox Chapel, 8-31-26
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1st | 2nd | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Chapel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Allegheny | 0 | 1 | 1 |
