Tigers Nipped By Knights In WPIAL Championship
By Jared Barton
It took penalty kicks to determine the WPIAL 4A Boys Soccer Champion, and the Norwin Knights topped North Allegheny 2-1 in the final from Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.
The Tigers dominated most of regulation with a consistent attack manned by junior Zach Nash, who ended the game with a team-leading eight shots. Fellow juniors Nathan Katari and Nick Denysenko were also key in the attack throughout the game, but the lone NA goal in regulation came from senior Luke Brady in the 12th minute of play. Brady scored from close range, blasting a shot off Norwin goalkeeper Anthony Scalise and off the crossbar into the back of the net. Sophomore Leonard Yu garnered the assist on the play.
With 20 minutes left in regulation, Katari took a shot from distance that was just wide right. From that point on, Norwin took control. The Knights found the equalizer on the 74th minute off a corner kick from junior George Bunovich that found junior Daniel Maddock in front for the header. In the final seconds of regulation, Nash had a chance, but fired wide right.
Early in the first overtime, senior Owen Christopher blasted a shot on NA senior Dante Accamando, who made the stop. Both players were named to the All-State Team earlier this week. Accamando had another strong stop on Maddock with nine minutes remaining in the first OT.
Accamando made another big stop on Christopher in the second overtime off a free kick 30 yards away.
Norwin scored on every penalty kick chance, with goals from Owen Christopher, Alex Brown, Daniel Maddock, Chase Molinaro and George Bunovich. North Allegheny had penalty kicks from Lucas Henderson, Noah Hutter and Arnav Patel. Katari’s shot was stopped by Scalise.
Brady was named Wright Automotive Player of the Game for his goal in the first half. Accamando made 10 saves in the contest.
The season is not over for the Tigers, as NA will be in PIAA action Tuesday with an opponent, site, and time to be determined.
Boys Soccer Summary vs. Norwin, 11-4-23
| GAME SUMMARY | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY HALVES | 1 | 2 | OT | 2OT | PK | FINAL |
| Norwin | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |