Latrobe boys soccer shuts out section foe Belle Vernon

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 10:09 PM

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If Latrobe is going to live up to the potential and expectations it has set for itself, the team knows it has to handle its business, like winning games it is “supposed” to win.

Case in point: the one the Wildcats played Tuesday night against visiting Belle Vernon.

Roman Agostoni, the program’s all-time leading goal scorer, kicked in two goals and assisted another, and the fourth-ranked Wildcats kept the Leopards off the board in a 4-0 Section 3-3A win at Rossi Field.

First-place Latrobe (9-3, 8-1) swept Belle Vernon (5-6, 2-5) and did not allow a goal in two section games against the Leopards, who had won three straight.

It was the fourth shutout of the season for Latrobe, which is now on a three-game winning streak as it chases its first section title.

“We haven’t played well the last couple games,” Latrobe coach Jake Rice said. “These next three games are huge. If we win Thursday, we’ll be playing Franklin Regional for the section title next Tuesday in the biggest game in school history. We have to take care of business.”

Agostoni, who broke his brother’s career record for goals with his 53rd on senior night last Thursday, opened the scoring in the 15th minute as rain fell and a fog rolled in over the wooded side of the stadium.

The initial goal seemed to loosen up the Wildcats and allow them to move the ball more freely.

“We can rely on Roman,” Rice said. “It seems like right after I yell at him, he scores.”

It stayed 1-0 at halftime before the Wildcats added three more scores in the second half.

John Massaro found the back of the net five minutes after the break, and Agostoni fired in his 25th goal of the season and 55th of his career 10 minutes later to make it 3-0.

“I wasn’t too focused on (the school record),” Agostoni said. “I knew if I played to my capabilities, it would happen. We always start slow for some reason.”

His brother, Warren Agostoni, got into the scoring with just more than 10 minutes remaining for his 11th goal of the season and a 4-0 advantage.

Belle Vernon, playing its fourth game in nine days, was outshot 14-7.

“We didn’t finish, and we didn’t shoot the ball enough,” Leopards coach Al Yeschenko said. “There were how many times in the six? We have struggled all season to score. We did some good things, but the teams in this division are too good. When you make a mistake, they capitalize on it.”

Trevor Kovatch needs one more score to become the Leopards’ all-time goals leader. He is stuck on 99 after tying Daniel Sassak’s career mark Monday against Yough.

“We didn’t want him to break (the record) here,” Rice said.

Bryce Burkhart, back in the lineup following an injury, made six saves for the Leopards. Reece DeCasolo had four stops for the Wildcats.

Pietro Bonandi had two assists, and Warren Agostoni added one in the victory.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Latrobe