Pine-Richland Edges North Allegheny, 1-0

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By Bob Orkwis

Coming into the match, the Tigers and the Rams had combined for five shutouts in their first six games, so the expectations were a tight contest with the first goal being important. That was the case, although it might not have been expected that the game winning goal would come so early, but that is what happened in the Pine-Richland 1-0 victory over North Allegheny in this 4A Section 1 match up at Newman Stadium.

The Rams got the games only goal in the 2nd minute of play. After an early NA foul, Pine-Richland was awarded a free kick. Nate Bang served the ball into the box from the near sideline, and it somehow found the head of teammate Ben Rishel, who pushed it into the NA net for a 1-0 lead.

After strong play from the Rams early, North Allegheny heated up late in the first half with a series of three consecutive corner kicks. In the ensuing play after the third corner, Pine-Richland was called for a foul in the box. Senior Gabi Götz took the penalty kick for the Tigers and shot low and hard to the right. But junior Cadan Bennett guessed correctly and dove to his left to keep the match 1-0 as it headed into halftime.

The Tigers continued their push to try and tie the game with a fairly dominating second half performance. In a chippy half, in which three yellow cards were handed out, North Allegheny’s best chance came in the 73rd minute, when a shot from the top corner of the box seemed to be headed into the net, but Bennett again made a sprawling save to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard and eventually gained the road win.

Pine-Richland (4-0, 2-0) has not allowed a goal so far in 320 minutes of play this season. The Tigers (2-1-1, 1-1) saw their modest two game winning streak end.

The Wright Automotive Player of the Game went to Luke Brady. The junior striker created several scoring opportunities on both flanks with some deft dribbling after returning from his card in the second half to garner the honor.

North Allegheny next takes the pitch on Tuesday when they host Butler in a 4A Section one match up. That game can be heard with a 7:30 kickoff on the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Boys Soccer Summary vs. Pine-Richland, 9-1-22

GAME SUMMARY
SCORE BY HALVES12FINAL
Pine-Richland101
North Allegheny000