Boys' Soccer News

by Randy Gore

The North Allegheny boys’ soccer team stretched its winning streak to eight on Thursday night with a 5-0 section win over the visiting Butler Golden Tornado. The shutout, the Tigers’ eighth of the season, was a combined effort by senior goalies Ryan Young, Ryan Dyga and Emiliano Perin. It was also the fourth whitewash for the black and gold in the last six contests.

While Young, Dyga and Perin combined for six saves to blank Butler, it was North Allegheny’s speed that really gave Butler fits, exemplified by the Tigers’ first goal of the evening. In the 17th minute, senior Noah Hutter accepted a through ball down the left sideline before delivering a crossing pass to striker Harper Boles in front of the net. The sophomore settled the ball and drilled it into the back of the net for his first career goal and a 1-0 lead.

Eight minutes later, the Tigers struck again when the speedy Nathan Katari created a steal, streaked past the defense, and sent a perfect shot over the keeper and underneath the crossbar to increase the NA advantage to 2-0. Wreaking havoc on Butler throughout the night, Katari was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.

Following intermission, Butler put together its best flurry of offense in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Held without a corner kick in the first 40 minutes, the Golden Tornado produced four in the early going of the second half. Despite a bit more balance from Butler, the momentum remained with NA thanks to another burst of speed from Katari. In the 61st minute, Katari hustled down the left wing and placed a shot on net that Butler keeper Thad Mago initially saved. Senior Mykola Desysenko pounced on the rebound and deftly evaded a defenseman to score NA’s third of the night for a 3-0 lead.

From that point on, the Tigers dominated the rest of the way. Senior Caleb Rumberger tallied a marker in the 69th minute, and senior Graham Kunz added the cherry on top with a final goal with just five seconds remaining to cap a 5-0 victory.

The win improves North Allegheny’s record to 12-2-1 overall and 7-1 in Section 3-AAAA, while Butler remains winless in the section at 0-8 and 3-10-1 overall. The Tigers look to continue their quest toward a section title next week with a visit to Seneca Valley on Tuesday.

Boys Soccer Summary vs. Butler, 10-3-24

	1st	2nd	FINAL
Butler	0	0	0
North Allegheny	2	3	5