North Allegheny falls to Plum in Season Opener
by: Bob Orkwis
North Allegheny welcomed Plum to Newman Stadium and to class 3A, as Plum moved up from 2A, to begin the season in a non-section matchup.
In a back-and-forth contest that saw a frantic fourth quarter, featuring 11 goals, the Mustangs outlasted the Tigers 12-8 in the season opener.
Madelyn Lemmon and Plum’s Liv Iachini traded free position goals in the first quarter. The 1-0 start for North Allegheny was their only lead of the game.
Carly Venanzi added a free position marker to give Plum a 2-1 lead after one quarter.
Avery Andeson, Iachini, Reagan Riordan, and Natalie Wagner all scored second quarter goals, and Plum led 4-3 at halftime.
Venanzi and Gracie Lynch off a long pass from Lemmon, each scored goals in the third quarter, with Plum again leading by a goal heading into the final period.
The scoring frenzy started 38 seconds into the final frame, as Anderson’s second goal tied the game, but Iachini answered for Plum.
Riona Redshaw made a great read for a steal on the run, then she fed Addison Sisinni for a short-handed tally to tie the game at 6-6.
Venanzi put the Mustangs back in front before Anderson earned the hat trick and a 7-7 tie. That capped off a spell on three goals in :52.
Plum took the lead for good, scoring twice in :09. Ella Pedley scored, followed by Iachini’s fourth goal of the game and a 9-7 Plum lead.
Riordan’s second goal of the night brought the Tigers within a goal, before Venanzi scored her fourth goal to make it 10-8 Mustangs.
Pedley and Madi Stewart rounded out the scoring in the four-goal road victory for Plum.
Malyana Smith made nine saves for Plum, while Fiola Ragan made six stops for the Tigers.
With the season’s first hat trick, senior Avery Anderson, a Grove City recruit, earned the year’s initial Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.
North Allegheny returns home Monday night to host defending 3A champion Mt. Lebanon in another non-section game. Face Off is set for 7PM and the game will be broadcast on the North Allegheny Sports Network.
Before we look ahead to tonight's @NA_GirlsLax game against Mt. Lebanon. Let's look back at the highlights from their matchup with Plum on Friday!
Video courtesy of TigerVision
Highlights by @JaredTBarton pic.twitter.com/4HqHVxtdL0— NATigers (@NATigerAthletic) March 17, 2025
Girls Lacrosse Summary vs. Plum, 3-14-25
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plum | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
