2023-2024 Game Summaries
NA Falls To Pine-Richland in WPIAL Semifinals
Neighborhood rivals North Allegheny and Pine-Richland faced off in the WPIAL playoffs for the third consecutive season on Saturday afternoon and the host Rams defeated the Tigers, 3-0, in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals. It also marked the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the Tigers and Rams have dueled in a postseason contest.
On a damp and overcast afternoon, the four-time reigning WPIAL champions got off to a strong start on their home turf when senior Jessica Albertson scored her team-leading 34th goal of the season with 12:51 left in the first quarter for a prompt 1-0 lead.
The Rams dictated the pace in the first half and held the Tigers without a shot on net in the first 30 minutes. Pine-Richland’s pressure led to a second goal with 10:54 left in the second period. Junior Georgia Rottinghaus blistered two high-velocity shots on net that were both skillfully saved by North Allegheny goalie Kayla Joyce. However, a rebound following Rottinghaus’ second shot fell on to the stick of senior Khushi Saini, who tapped the ball in for her 10th goal of the season, and the Rams extended the lead to 2-0. The defense of Eliana Jones, Haley Shanahan and Ryann Snowden, along with the net minding of Joyce, kept the deficit at two goals for the Tigers. Joyce made a pair of outstanding saves as time expired in the first half.
Coming out of halftime, the Tigers played their most spirited quarter of the game and junior Mia Brinkley yielded NA’s first shot on net midway through the period. Despite the uptick in energy from North Allegheny, the third quarter finished in a stalemate with Pine-Richland maintaining a 2-0 lead.
The Rams effectively put the game away with 12:33 left in the fourth period on Albertson’s second goal of the game and 35th of the season for a 3-0 lead.
North Allegheny fought valiantly in the remaining minutes and picked up one more shot on net from senior Isla Abrams, but PR prevailed by a 3-0 final to advance to the WPIAL Class 3A championship game next week to face Peters Township at W&J’s Cameron Stadium.
For their efforts on the day, and in their brilliant careers at North Allegheny, the senior class of Abrams, Shanahan, Khadija Bajwa, Tanvi Challa and Sophie Grafton were collectively selected as the Wright Automotive Players of the Game.
North Allegheny’s season comes to a close with an 8-9-2 record, while Pine-Richland remains unbeaten with an 18-0 mark. Congratulations to head coach Michelle Kessler, the coaching staff and the entire team for another outstanding season of North Allegheny field hockey.
Field Hockey Summary vs. Pine-Richland, 10-28-23
GAME SUMMARY | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
North Allegheny | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pine-Richland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
NA Drops Regular Season Finale To Pine-Richland
There wasn’t much drama heading into the regular season finale on Wednesday night at Newman Stadium as both Pine-Richland and North Allegheny were locked into their WPIAL postseason seeding. The undefeated Rams had already secured the section title weeks ago and the Tigers were guaranteed to finish in the No. 4 spot in the Class 3A bracket. Despite the fact that not much was at stake, both teams gave spirited effort with the visiting Rams coming out on top, 4-1.
The four-time reigning WPIAL champions were still vying for a fourth consecutive undefeated regular season and got off to a good start when Anna Merlack scored on a penalty corner less than four minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead. Senior Jessica Albertson tallied a marker with 5:54 left in the first quarter to extend PR’s lead to 2-0. North Allegheny senior Isla Abrams quickly got the Tigers back into the game when she used her lightning-quick speed and raced coast-to-coast with possession and beat PR goalie Sara Neuhart to trim the deficit to 2-1 with 1:06 left in the opening stanza.
Pine-Richland seized control on the second quarter with a goal by Kendyll Jerry with 11:09 on the clock and a late marker by Madeline Mill with just eight seconds left in the half for a 4-1 lead.
In the second half, Abrams and the Tigers produced several scoring chances and penalty corners but couldn’t crack the scoreboard again in the final 30 minutes. With 6:40 left in the third period, Sophie Grafton had a strong scoring chance but Neuhart managed to make the save. In the second half, North Allegheny led in penalty corners, 3-2. However, Neuhart and the Rams maintained their three-goal lead and closed out a 4-1 win. Neuhart made five saves to earn the victory.
For the game, Pine-Richland led in penalty corners, 5-4. North Allegheny junior goalie Kayla Joyce had another spectacular night in between the pipes and posted 20 saves. For Joyce’s effort on defense, and Abrams spark on offense, the NA duo was named Wright Automotive Players of the Game for their outstanding play.
With the loss, North Allegheny slips to 8-8-2 overall and 6-4-2 in Section 1-3A. Pine-Richland improves to 17-0 overall and concludes section play at a perfect 12-0. The Tigers and Rams will matchup for a third time this season in the WPIAL semifinals on Saturday, Oct. 28, in Gibsonia. The game will be broadcast live by the North Allegheny Sports Network.
Field Hockey Summary vs. Pine-Richland, 10-18-23
GAME SUMMARY | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
Pine-Richland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
North Allegheny | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Tigers Win Section Joust With Knights, 3-0
With a WPIAL playoff berth already secured, the North Allegheny field hockey team continued its late-season surge with a third consecutive victory and topped the Norwin Knights on the road by a 3-0 decision. The shutout was the sixth of the season for the Tigers.
North Allegheny controlled the pace for the vast majority of the game and scored the first goal of the afternoon when freshman Addison Burns fed a pass to junior Josie Schomburg for a goal with 2:07 to play in the second quarter for a 1-0 lead. A short time later, senior Isla Abrams scored on a rebound with 38 seconds left before halftime to increase the NA advantage to 2-0.
In the fourth period, Abrams put the game on ice with her second goal of the night on a penalty corner with 13:15 remaining to bring the score to its eventual final, 3-0, Tigers.
Junior goalie Kayla Joyce made four saves to earn the victory. North Allegheny outshot Norwin, 30-4.
The playoff-bound Tigers improve to 8-7-2 on the season and 6-3-2 in Section 1-3A. Norwin slips to 3-10-1 overall and 3-8 in the section. North Allegheny will round out its regular season schedule on Wednesday night with a home game against reigning WPIAL champion Pine-Richland. The game will be broadcast live by the North Allegheny Sports Network.
Field Hockey Summary vs. Norwin, 10-16-23
GAME SUMMARY | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
North Allegheny | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Norwin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NA Rolls ‘Dice On Senior Night
On Senior Night at Newman Stadium, the North Allegheny field hockey team clinched a WPIAL playoff berth with a 13-1 victory over Allderdice on Thursday night. The Tigers pounced on the Dragons with a six-goal first period and cruised to the win.
Junior Mia Brinkley led the onslaught with a four-goal performance and senior Isla Abrams followed with a hat trick. Seniors Sophie Grafton, Haley Shanahan, Khadijah Bajwa, and Tanvi Challa, along with sophomore Josie Schomburg and freshman Addison Burns all scored goals in the victory.
Junior goalie Kayla Joyce made three saves and earned the win in net.
North Allegheny outshot Allderdice, 42-4. The lone goal for the Dragons came late in the third quarter courtesy of Leila Barber.
With the win, North Allegheny improves to 7-7-2 overall and 5-3-2 in Section 1-3A, while Allderdice falls to 0-11. The Tigers will try for a third straight victory on Monday night with a visit to Norwin to take on the Knights.
Field Hockey Summary vs. Allderdice, 10-12-23
GAME SUMMARY | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
Allderdice | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
North Allegheny | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 13 |
Tigers Rout Spartans For Section Win, 10-0
The North Allegheny field hockey team returned to the win column on Monday night with a dominant 10-0 win at Hempfield in Section 1-AAA action.
Snapping a four-game winless streak, the Tigers scored early and often against the host Spartans. Freshman Addison Burns netted the first two goals of the night in the first quarter and the rout was on. Burns finished with a hat trick, along with three-goal performances from seniors Isla Abrams and Sophie Grafton. Junior Josie Schomburg tallied a goal as well. Burns, Abrams and Schomburg each dished out one assist. Junior Mia Brinkley distributed a pair of assists.
Sophomore goalie Alaina Roth made three saves and combined with junior Kayla Joyce for the shutout. Joyce was untested during her 15 minutes in net. North Allegheny outshot Hempfield, 18-3, and led in penalty corners, 7-4.
With the win, North Allegheny improves to 6-7-2 overall and 4-3-2 in Section 1-AAA. Hempfield falls to 1-8 in section play. The Tigers will host Allderdice on Thursday night at Newman Stadium.
Field Hockey Summary vs. Hempfield, 10-9-23
GAME SUMMARY | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
North Allegheny | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
Hempfield | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |