Tigers Tame Panthers For Non-Section Win
By: Jared Barton
The North Allegheny boys’ soccer team hosted Upper St. Clair on Tuesday night for a non-section matchup at Newman Stadium. The Tigers took control in the second half with a 3-0 win.
The first half of play was challenging for both offenses, as neither team had quality chances throughout the frame. The Panthers had the slight edge in possession and zone time heading into the halftime break, scoreless.
With less than 27 minutes remaining in regulation, the Tigers struck first. Senior captain Francis Randiga stole the ball from the St. Clair keeper and defender in front of the USC net and stayed onside for the opening marker. Less than 90 seconds later, junior goalkeeper Jaxon Cowger blasted a clearing ball to midfield, finding Randiga for a header that turned into a perfect lead pass down the near sideline to senior Preston Herzog. The forward took a line-drive shot from distance at a wide angle and slipped the ball between the keeper, a defender and the near side post for a 2-0 lead.
NA added an insurance marker in the last nine minutes of the contest as senior captain Connor Heliger connected on a pass to junior Kevin Bandes for the tally.
Cowger and sophomore Jacob Elias combined for the shutout. Herzog was named Wright Automotive Player of the Game for his efforts.
The Tigers are now 7-1-2 overall on the season. North Allegheny heads on the road Thursday night for a section matchup against Moon from the AHN Montour Sports Complex.
BOYS SOCCER SUMMARY VS UPPER ST. CLAIR, 9-29-26
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1st | 2nd | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper St. Clair | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Allegheny | 0 | 3 | 3 |
