Overtime Victory Sends Tigers to PIAA Quarterfinals
by: Bob Orkwis
There was high drama on the South Side of Pittsburgh in the opening round of the PIAA 4A Boys Soccer Playoffs. North Allegheny overcame a late equalizer from Allderdice to post a 2-1 win in double overtime to advance to the second round of the state playoffs for the first time since 2023.
The Tigers started their push from the opening kickoff, as they played forward and earned three consecutive corner kicks in the early going.
North Allegheny got another scoring chance in the 7th minute of play, but Francis Randiga’s shot was pushed just wide of the near post by the Dragons goalkeeper Harrison Fiscus.
Caiden Sowa sent a shot just to the outside of the net in the 22nd minute and the match remained scoreless.
The Dragons had a flurry in the 43rd minute, but Jaxon Cowger made a save, and after a blocked shot, Allderdice sent the rebound over top the net.
North Allegheny struck for the games first goal in the 44th minute. A through ball somehow found Randiga in the left side of the box, and the senior outmuscled a defender to slot home his team leading ninth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead.
That lead looked like it would stand up, but Allderdice got the game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation.
After an injury stoppage, the Dragons sent the ball into the box, where it was bodied down by Michael Bishop, who laid it back to Taahir Phillips, who fired home a shot from 14-yards out inside the near the post, the senior’s first goal of the season tied the match at 1-1 with just 32 seconds remaining.
Cowger, who finished with seven saves, made his most important plays during a scramble in the first overtime.
Allderdice sent a ball in form the right wing and Cowger had to make a lunging stop to his right, and as the Dragons were hunting the rebound, he pushed the ball past the attackers to keep the match tied.
Cam Sullenger had a second ball opportunity just after the Cowger save but his shot went just high over the net.
The game-winning goal came after a throw in on the far side of the field. The ball found its way back to Randiga on the right wing, and his cross caromed around in the air after a couple of headers. The final header was the most important, as Kevin Bandes headed the ball into the middle of the net just under the crossbar for the 2-1 win with 11:06 left in the second overtime.
The goal was the fourth of the season for the senior Bandes, and the golden goal was enough to award him with the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.
North Allegheny (13-4-3) should have a little bit of a longer trip for the PIAA Quarterfinals. The Tigers will take on West Chester Henderson on Saturday at a site and time to be determined.
Boys Soccer Summary at Allderdice, 11-11-26
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1st | 2nd | OT1 | OT2 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Allegheny | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Allderdice | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
