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Tigers Top Crusaders In Tight Matchup

Posted on: by Jonathan Spina

By: Jared Barton 

The North Allegheny boys’ lacrosse team faced MSLA foe Archbishop Moeller at Newman Stadium Friday evening. The Tigers came out on top of the back-and-forth matchup with a 9-7 victory.

Moeller dominated the opening minutes of the contest with excellent work at faceoff “X” and extended offensive possessions in the first quarter. Senior goalie Alex Costa was up to the task, keeping the score in reach. The Crusaders scored the opening goal with 9:35 left in the frame from Gavin Daoud. NA struck back with goals from sophomore Evan Wade and junior Mason Brown to hold a 2-1 lead after the first stanza.

Both teams traded goals in the second quarter. The Tigers extended the lead to 3-1 on a marker from sophomore Sawyer Catchen. Doud buried his second of the contest with less than two minutes to play in the opening half. NA led 3-2 at the midpoint break.

Wade scored his second of the contest to double the NA lead in the early stages of a very intense and aggressive second half. Moeller stepped on the gas pedal, scoring four of the next five goals to take a 6-5 lead at the end of the third period. The lone goal in that span for the Tigers was a hat-trick man-up score for Wade, assisted by senior Colt Gibson. 

Wade notched his fourth of the contest to tie the game up with just over nine minutes to play, assisted by senior Johnny Castillo. Less than two minutes later, Costa received the ball in the crease and began to clear the defensive zone. Seeing no one open, Costa made a break across the midfield line and scored his second goalie goal of the season with just under eight minutes to play, putting the Tigers up 7-6. Costa was shook up on the play and did not return to the net, as sophomore Sam Walters came in for relief. Brown added an insurance goal with under seven minutes remaining. With under five minutes to play, Moeller’s Chase Novak gave the Crusaders some life with a score, but it wouldn’t be enough as freshman Brandt Hoffman added one more for good measure on a late man-up chance, assisted by Gibson.

Along with Costa’s goal, the senior also made seven saves in net, and was awarded the Wright Automotive Player of the Game award. Walters added two stops. Wade officially finished the contest with four tallies, an assist and one takeaway.

Daoud netted four of Moeller’s seven goals.

North Allegheny improves to 4-3 overall and has a quick turnaround. The Tigers are set to host Lakewood St. Edward’s (OH) Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. from Newman Stadium.

BOYS LACROSSE SUMMARY VS. ARCHBISHOP MOELLER, 4-10-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS1st2nd3rd4thFINAL
Archbishop Moeller11417
North Allegheny21249