Boys' Soccer News

by: Bob Orkwis

After surviving a bit of a scare in the opening round of the WPIAL 4A Boys Soccer playoffs versus 12th-seeded Gateway, North Allegheny seemed determined to write a different script in the quarterfinals. The Tigers trailed early against the Gators, and tonight at Mt. Lebanon, North Allegheny never trailed posting a 3-0 victory.

The Tigers scored three times on counter attacks, and each time they were able to catch the Mt. Lebanon goalkeeper off his line.

In the 29th minute, Josh Tufts took a through ball on the right wing and was able to slot the ball into the goal form distance for a 1-0 lead.

It remained that way until North Allegheny struck for a pair of goals in a minute span early in the second half.

Junior Vik Vaders got a break on the right wing, and he was able to bend a right footed shot from distance just inside the near post for his sixth goal of the season in the 44th minute of play.

In the 45th minute, Francis Randiga, who played with energy from the outset, took a through ball on the left side and popped a shot past the onrushing keeper from ten yards out to build the Tigers lead to 3-0. The goal was the team-leading eighth of the season for the Tigers captain.

North Allegheny, who has allowed only nine goals all season, used solid team defense and a couple of saves from Jaxon Cowger to post their 10th clean sheet of the year.

Josh Tufts, whose first half marker turned out to be the game-winner, earned the Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors. The sophomore’s tally was his first goal of the season.

Fifth-seeded North Allegheny (11-3-3) heads to the semifinal round for the first time in two years. The Tigers will face the top seed in the 4A playoffs, Norwin. The Knights bested Upper St. Clair on penalty kicks. That match will take place Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

Boys Soccer Summary at Mt. Lebanon, 10-29-26

SCORE BY HALVES	1st	2nd	FINAL
North Allegheny	1	2	3
Mt. Lebanon	0	0	0