Boys' Soccer News

By: Bob Orkwis 

A sometime section foe and Pittsburgh City League opponent, Allderdice was the opposition for North Allegheny as the Tigers celebrated Youth Recognition on Pack the Pitch night at Newman
Stadium. In a well-played match, it might be fitting that the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

The first half was exciting, despite the 0-0 score after forty minutes. Allderdice controlled the first ten minutes before the Tigers got a pair of great chances. Francis Randiga hit the crossbar, followed by a Vik Vaders attempt that just missed the far post. The Dragons got two great chances of set pieces later in the half, both denied by outstanding saves from Tigers keeper Jaxon Cowger. Off a corner kick, Michael Bishop got a header towards the goal, and Cowger made a great save diving to his left, and he swept the rebound away with his feet.

On a direct kick with just under seven minutes left, Luca Fuerte struck a strong shot that was headed toward the upper near corner, but Cowger was able to fly over and deny the shot at the
near post.

Allderdice opened the scoring in the 46th minute. Cowger made another great diving save on a shot from Levi Marcus. The rebound opportunity found Dragons captain Jonah Libertus, and he fired the rebound through Cowger, who couldn’t get enough of the ball, and the Dragons had a 1-0 lead. That goal snapped the Tigers’ scoreless streak at 259 minutes, as North Allegheny had not
conceded a goal since their season opener against West Allegheny.

The Tigers got the equalizer in the 55 th minute off a free kick. Cam Sullenger lifted the ball from 45 yards towards the box, and Randiga was able to chip a header into the net for his team-leading 5th goal of the season. Randiga had a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory at Butler on Thursday.

Randiga had a great chance in the 56 th minute, but his right footer from the near side of the box missed the far post.

Marcus had a strong chance for Allderdice in the 60th minute, but his right-footed shot from distance went just high onto the top of the net. Sullenger just missed the near post from distance off a throw in the 78th minute.

The play between both teams was feisty throughout the second half, as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Stellar play in the net, despite the shutout streak being broken, earned junior Cowger the Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors. Cowger’s great saves in the first half and solid play down the stretch helped North Allegheny earn the draw.

North Allegheny is now (5-1-1) on the season, with Allderdice at (3-3-2). NA plays host to North Hills on Tuesday for a AAAA-3 contest. That match is set for a 7:30 PM kickoff and can be heard on the North Allegheny Sports Network.

BOYS SOCCER SUMMARY VS ALLDERDICE, 9-19-26

SCORE BY HALVES	1st	2nd	FINAL
Allderidce	0	1	1
North Allegheny	0	1	1