Boys' Soccer News

by: Brandon Rossi

The fourth-seeded North Allegheny boys soccer team had a second half scare but ultimately held on with a 2-1 victory over 13th-seeded Central Catholic in the WPIAL First Round at Newman Stadium on Tuesday night.

The first half saw North Allegheny chew up much of the possession. The Tigers got some leeway with a score in the 13th minute by senior Mykola Desysenko. Senior Nathan Katari took the initial shot from the left side of the box on a breakaway that was stopped, and Desysenko was in the right place at the right time, waiting near the right post for the tap-in, his ninth goal of the season.

In the second half, Central Catholic was able to make some adjustments that tested the NA defense. Seven minutes into the second half, a throw in was ricocheted back to Katari’s grasp, and he ripped a shot from 22 yards away through a sea of white jerseys and into the back of the net. Katari’s tenth goal of the season, along with creating many offensive chances, earned him the Wright Automotive Player of the Game for the first-round matchup.

Central Catholic threatened but didn’t get a shot in the second half until a corner throw-in slipped its way past the NA defense and into the net in the 61st minute of action. From there, the Vikings could not get any more shots on frame despite the luxury of four corner kicks, allowing the Tigers to escape with the 2-1 win.

North Allegheny outshot Central Catholic 6-2 on goal for the match and had twice as many corner kicks as the Vikings with eight total. Senior Ryan Young secured the win in net.

The Tigers advance to the WPIAL quarterfinals for the second year in a row, and will meet 12th-seeded North Hills, who stunned Norwin with a last second goal to complete the upset. The Tigers and Indians will square off on Saturday, October 26 with the site and time yet to be determined.

Boys Soccer Summary vs. Central Catholic, 10-22-24

	1st	2nd	FINAL
Central Catholic	0	1	1
North Allegheny	1	1	2