Greensburg CC Repeats as Girls A Soccer Champs

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 11:43 PM

It may have taken awhile, but once again the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (21-1) can call themselves WPIAL champions. Sarah Ward scored the game’s lone goal with 11:55 to play in the second overtime in a game played Saturday morning at Highmark Stadium.

As the play developed, the ball came to Bailey Cartwright in the box. Cartwright tried to create  a scoring opportunity with her back to the net. The ball came free to Ward, who softly guided it into the back of the net, to give the Centurions the win and their fourth WPIAL title in five years.

Greensburg Central Catholic controlled the game on the stat sheet, but had numerous opportunities turned away by the Charleroi defense, specifically by the standout work of Cougar goalkeeper Sydney Toth. The senior goalkeeper registered 11 saves. Many of those saves were quite spectacular, including one on each Ward and Cartwright in the waning minutes of regulation time.

Cartwright, the WPIAL’s leading scorer with 70 goals, found herself a little frustrated at times by a collapsing Charleroi defense and the constant presence of Aislyn Lee, a sophomore who followed Cartwright all over the field.

Charleroi’s defense was able to slow down Greensburg Central Catholic’s high-powered offense, which came into the contest averaging more than seven goals a game. In the Centurions’ three previous WPIAL playoff games, they had outscored the opposition 18-3.

The Centurions extended their season winning streak to 21 games, with the only loss coming in their season opener to Rocky River High School (Ohio).

Charleroi (17-2-2) was able to muster just two shots on goal in the Saturday morning contest, that eventually moved into the afternoon. Each team had nine corner kicks.

Each team advances to the PIAA playoffs, which begin Tuesday. Charleroi will take on the champion of District 5, while Greensburg Central Catholic will play the champs of District 10.

Tags: Charleroi, Greensburg C.C.