Tigers comeback falls short against Shady Side Academy

Posted on: by Jonathan Spina

by: Bob Orkwis

North Allegheny staged not one, but two comebacks against visiting Shady Side Academy, but the second come from behind effort in the fourth quarter fell just shy, as the Bulldogs pulled out a 14-13 win at Newman Stadium on Monday night.

Sarah Harlan put the Tigers in front with a free position goal, which was answered on a free position from Ava Orie, the first of three consecutive goals for Shady Side Academy who led 3-1.

But junior Reagen Riordan scored three straight goals for North Allegheny, two to end the first quarter and a third 16 seconds into the second quarter for a 4-3 lead.

But sophomore Nora Vadnais got into rhythm for the Bulldogs, scoring the first two of her five goals on the night to put Shady Side Academy back in front.

The Bulldogs lead was 6-4, when Addison Sisinni scored her fourth goal of the campaign to bring North Allegheny within a goal. Sam Recchi’s first of two goals in the game was a big one, coming just as the halftime horn was sounding to give Shady Side a two-goal cushion at intermission.

Riordan made it 7-6, before the Bulldogs score three straight goals to take a 10-6 lead.

The first comeback came in the third quarter for the Tigers. Maddie Lemmon, Harlan, Riordan and Lemmon again all connected, as North Allegheny stormed back to tie the game at 10-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Shady Side scored the first four goals of the final frame to lead 14-10, before the Tigers came back again.

Riordan notched her sixth goal of the night, Avery Anderson added a goal to go with her two assists, and when Gracie Lynch netted her eighth goal of the season, the Tigers trailed 14-13 with 2:49 left.

North Allegheny won the ensuing draw, but a turnover gave the ball back to the Bulldogs, who then ran off the final 2:30 to secure the one goal victory. Shady Side Academy improved to (4-3, 4-1) with the win.

Fiola Ragan made five saves in goal for North Allegheny, who fell to (3-6, 3-4).

Reagan Riordan, with six goals, her highest total of the season, and an assist, was picked as the Wright Automotive Player of the Game. Riordan, who has scored in every game this season for North Allegheny, now leads the team with 27 tallies. She also had three draw controls, three ground balls and three caused turnovers in a great all-around effort.

The Tigers will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Pine-Richland to take on the Rams at 7:30 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse Summary vs. Shady Side Academy, 4-14-25

SCORE BY QUARTERS1st2nd3rd4thFINAL
Shady Side Academy343414
North Allegheny235313