Late PK Goal Pushes Tigers Past Raiders, 2-1
by: Bob Orkwis
Coming into their penultimate Section 3-4A matches, both North Allegheny and Seneca Valley pretty much knew their fate as far as the section standings.
The Raiders had already clinched the section title, and barring some outside help, the Tigers looked locked into third place.
None of that took away from the rivalry match between the two teams, as North Allegheny struck late to take a 2-1 victory at Newman Stadium.
The Tigers struck early as well, getting on the scoreboard in the 5th minute of play. A second ball opportunity after a corner kick came back to Mia Bosley, who served it into the box where it was headed home by Ava Hutter for her 1st goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Luciana Zagacki nearly made it a two-goal lead a minute later, but her shot struck the crossbar.
Seneca Valley equalized in the 9th minute of play, when their leading goal scorer Karly Majeski got to a free kick a split second before Jordan Beemer did, and her header tied the match at 1-1.
That score would remain, although North Allegheny had great chances from Hutter and Zagacki early in the second half, and a Keiran Shannon header off a corner kick that just went wide in the 71st minute.
Junior Addison Vrabel played an inspired second half, winning balls, earning corners and creating chances, although the game remained tied.
That changed with 4:32 remaining. Avery Ruffus, who had a great night, who much like Vrabel, winning balls and creating chances from both flanks, ran to a ball at the edge of the box and drew a foul. The senior calmly took the penalty kick, and her right-footed shot found the upper part of the net on the far side for a 2-1 lead.
Avery Ruffus with the PK ⚽️ to lift the Tigers over Seneca Valley, 2-1 @NATigerAthletic @Big56Conference @TribLiveHSSN @pghsoccernow @piaasports @cover3_ATH @wpialgirlsports #WPIALsoccer pic.twitter.com/VTabGVaeDl
— North Allegheny Girls Soccer (@nasoccergirls) October 7, 2025
Beemer, who earned the win, and the Tigers did not allow the Raiders a chance to tie the match, and North Allegheny (10-3-2, 4-2-1), had a thrilling victory over a section champion as the season winds down. Seneca Valley (9-3-2, 6-1) suffered its first section loss.
Unfortunately for North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, who holds the tiebreaker over the Tigers, defeated North Hill to secure second place in the section.
With a stellar night, and a great individual effort to earn the penalty kick which she converted for her 5th goal of the season, Avery Ruffus was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.
North Allegheny hits the road Wednesday for its final section match against Butler before non-section road matches against Allderdice and Montour round out the regular season campaign.
Girls Soccer Summary, vs. Seneca Valley, 10-6-25
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1st | 2nd | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Valley | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 1 | 2 |
