Tigers Claw Past Panthers In WPIAL First Round, 15-12
For the fifth consecutive season, the North Allegheny girls’ lacrosse team earned an opening-round victory in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs with a 15-12 triumph over Sewickley Academy on Monday night at Newman Stadium.
Following a seesaw first quarter that featured three ties and three lead changes, Sewickley Academy senior Kendall Sykes netted her second goal of the night on a player-up situation to knot the score at 5-5 just 12 seconds into the second quarter. The goal by Sykes marked the last time the game was deadlocked as NA scored five of the next six goals to take a 10-6 lead by the midway point in the third quarter.
Powered on offense by junior Avery Anderson and sophomore Reagan Riordan who tallied six goals each, the Tigers expanded their lead to 14-8 heading into the fourth quarter. Riordon’s sixth goal of the game with 37 seconds left in the third period was her 48th of the season and gave the Tigers their largest lead of the night.
Appearing in the WPIAL playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, including a PIAA semifinal appearance in 2021, Sewickley Academy didn’t go away quietly. Consecutive goals by Sykes, senior Libby Eannarino and senior Ashley Close narrowed the gap to 14-11 with 7:15 remaining in the final stanza. Sykes finished with four goals and Eannarino totaled a team-high six goals to give her 216 for her career.
Despite a last-ditch surge by the Panthers, the Tigers regained their momentum on senior Isla Abrams‘ third goal of the night and 45th of the season to give NA a 15-11 lead with 5:43 left to play. Eannarino capped the scoring with one final goal in the waning minutes to bring the final score to 15-12, Tigers.
With six goals and two assists, Anderson was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.
Senior goalie Izzie Trunzo made 11 saves, posted four ground balls and notched an important caused turnover late in the game during Sewickley Academy’s comeback bid. Along with Trunzo, senior defenseman Maya Evans tallied a team-high four ground balls. Senior midfielder Mia Valentine posted a pair of caused turnovers to aid the defensive efforts by the Tigers.
North Allegheny improves to 8-8 overall, while Sewickley Academy’s season comes to an end with a 7-6 mark. The Tigers advance to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals to face No. 1 seed and undefeated Mt. Lebanon on Wednesday. The game will be broadcast live by the North Allegheny Sports Network.
GIRLS LACROSSE SUMMARY VS. SEWICKLEY ACADEMY, 5-13-24
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewickley Academy | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 |
| North Allegheny | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 15 |