Tigers Lose Heartbreaker to Mt. Lebanon in WPIAL Title Match
by: Bob Orkwis
In a matchup at F.N.B. Stadium in Station Square, top-seeded Mt. Lebanon and third -eeded North Allegheny went toe to toe. The Tigers were seeking back-to-back championships. The Blue Devils were seeking their 10th WPIAL title, the most for a girls’ soccer program.
Something had to give in the WPIAL Girls Soccer 4A Championship, and after 110 minutes of soccer the match went to penalty kicks. Mt. Lebanon prevailed (5-4) and posted a 1-0 victory to win their first title since 2008.
North Allegheny had several chances throughout the day but could not capitalize.
A cross from Bella Montgomery found Amari Ruffus at the near post in the 33rd minute, but her tip went just wide.
Last year’s overtime hero for North Allegheny, Rosalia Varlotta had a chance from distance that could not find the frame.
Kieran Shannon had a free kick opportunity with five minutes left that did not connect.
Blue Devils keeper Makenna Tappe made a stop late to keep the match scoreless.
Halfway through the first overtime, Jordan Beemer somehow made a save on a Mt. Lebanon corner kick amidst traffic, near her line.
Beemer would make another save in overtime on a corner, and Varlotta had a chance for a game-winner that went just wide of the near post.
The match went to PKs, and each team scored four times. Mia Barsotti, Varlotta, Taryn DeWitt and Sahara Catlos connected for the Tigers. Ava Silva, Scarlett Pryor, Savannah Peer, and Becca Braunsdorf scored for the Blue Devils. Tappe made a stop for Mt. Lebanon.
Senior captain Emma Curren was stopped in the middle of the net by Beemer, but the officials determined Beemer had left her line early. Curren nailed the redo, and Mt. Lebanon celebrated winning gold.
With continued solid play in the center of North Allegheny’s back line, senior Sahara Catlos was awarded the Wright Automotive Player of the Game. The captain also netted one of the Tigers four penalty kick goals in the contest.
Both teams had already qualified for the state playoffs. Mt. Lebanon (16-1-2), will face the fourth-place team from District 3. North Allegheny (17-3-1) will have to head north to face the District 10 champions, McDowell. The PIAA tournament kicks off on Wednesday.
Girls Soccer Summary vs. Mt. Lebanon, 11-7-26
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1st | 2nd | OT1 | OT2 | PK | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Allegheny | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Mt. Lebanon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
