Winchester Thurston Unseats Sewickley Academy in Boys A Shootout

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 1, 2014 | 9:55 PM

Sewickley Academy have certainly been no strangers to the WPIAL Class A Boys Soccer Finals, having won the title in 2005 and 2007 and 2013.  In stark contrast, Winchester Thurston was making their first ever appearance in the Finals, highlighted by tough 1-0 victories over Riverview and Vincentian in the quarters and semis respectively. The experience was not a factor as the Bears edged the Panthers 1-0 in an overtime shootout.

The 2 teams underwent a feeling-out process throughout the 1st half, though both teams had their share of chances.  Solid goaltending and defense, in a trend that continue throughout the game, kept both teams off the board. 

Things started to get more physical in the 2nd half, which was highlighted by the officials issuing a yellow card in the 50th minute to WT’s Alex Binion.  Both teams continued to create chances for themselves, but again, keepers Mathieu Lebiere for WT and Jackson O’Neill for Sewickley, kept the game scoreless and sent it into overtime. 

However, the stalemate continued as both keepers were successful keeping the ball out of their nets, thus forcing a resolution via shootout.

Sewickley got the first shot at Lebiere, but Tom Mulholland’s shot went wide.  WT’s Max Rogow was next, and he drove his penalty kick  past O’Neill to lead 1-0.  SA’s Mike Napoleone and the Bears’ Lucas Rosenblatt both scored to keep WT at a 1-goal advantage.  The Panthers’ Brandon Doyle and WT’s Scott Steiner subsequently had their shots stopped, but Ryder MacDougall of SA and Tamir Frank of WT scored, giving the Bears the 3-2 lead.  The Panthers were down to their final shot, resting on the foot of striker Matt Teitelbaum, but his shot was stopped by Lebiere, sealing the deal and ensuring the Winchester-Thurston Bears their first WPIAL Class A Boys Soccer Championship. 

Sewickley Academy (16-2-2) had 7 corner-kick opportunities as opposed to 5 for Winchester-Thurston (19-0-1).  Both teams’ seasons will continue as they along with the Vincentian Royals have all qualified for the PIAA State Playoffs.

Tags: Winchester Thurston