A-K Valley athletes of the week: Plum’s Tristan Ralph, Riverview’s Lola Abraham

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 10:01 AM

Previous Next

Lola Abraham

Class: Senior

School: Riverview

Sport: Soccer

Report card: Abraham tallied three goals and an assist Monday in a 10-0 win over Serra Catholic and added four goals and three assists as the Riverview soccer team beat Steel Valley, 9-0, on Wednesday. She has 42 goals and 17 assists this season and, for her career, has accumulated 141 goals and 34 assists for the Raiders (11-1, 8-1 Section 1-A). The Pitt-bound midfielder was an All-WPIAL selection last year after scoring 56 times.

How did the team play against Steel Valley on Wednesday?

That was our second time playing them, so it’s great to see the team improving against a team we played in the past and keep working to get these wins in our conference. To see our team improve during the season has been great to see.

What are some things the team is doing well?

I think we work very well as a team. No matter who sees the opportunity or success in certain games, we are all happy for one another. We want it to be a team effort. It’s not any one individual. We all work together and cohesively. Just keeping each other on the same page and working with one another has helped with our success.

What are the team’s goals the rest of the way?

We want to make a run in the playoffs. In previous years, in my 10th and 11th grade years, we lost in the first round. So finishing out our section matches, going into the WPIAL playoffs and making a run and contesting against the teams from other sections and seeing how we compare with them and get results to take us further into the playoffs.

What’s it like to play for your father?

It’s great playing for him, having that connection with him. I feel like both ways, we don’t really let that affect how I play. At the end of the day, he’s my coach. It’s great to have that connection and see how he’s helped this team advance the past couple years.

What are you planning to major in at Pitt?

I don’t have a specific major yet, but I want to do something STEM related. That can lead to many opportunities.

How many miles would you say you run in a game?

It varies, maybe four to five. It depends on the game. Some I run more than others.

Which sport do you like better, soccer, basketball or track?

I like soccer. That’s always been my favorite sport. (Basketball and track) are just another way to play with my classmates and stay active through the season on top of my club soccer. Mostly just playing for my school and with the girls that I’m around through the school day.

Who has the best nickname on the team?

We have these two Georgias on our team. They’re cousins. We call the one Little G because she’s younger. It was hard at the beginning of the season because they have the same name.

Who is the toughest player you’ve faced?

Throughout our section, there are pretty good defenders. Facing the defenders from Springdale and GCC is always a great competition. Having those games in our section, I always know those are going to be tough games and I’ll have to work harder as they are great defenders.

What’s your favorite item to buy at Oakmont Bakery?

I like their breakfast sandwiches, but also this one chicken wrap.

How do you think the Steelers will finish this season?

We want the Steelers to do well hopefully. They’ve done decent so far. Hopefully they finish strong and have more success.

Tristan Ralph

Class: Senior

School: Plum

Sport: Soccer

Report card: Plum boys soccer moved its winning streak to 14 games last week with a pair of wins. Ralph had two assists in a key 3-2 victory over Latrobe on Tuesday and had a goal and two assists Thursday in a 5-2 victory over Gateway, as the Wildcats improved to 14-1 overall and 12-0 in Section 4-3A. Ralph, a midfielder, was an all-section selection last season after scoring 16 goals and adding 15 assists.

How did the team play against Gateway on Thursday?

I think we started a little slower than we usually do. I believe the second half was a lot better for us. We started moving the ball better and playing the way we know how to play. I think we worked better as a team in the second half.

How about against Latrobe?

We were down 2-0 in the second half, and our coaches pulled us in at halftime and told us to play how we know how to play. We stuck to it, moved the ball and started scoring goals. We never gave up on each other and encouraged each other to keep playing.

What happened on the winning goal?

It was nice. Noah Smith played me a through ball out to the side. I took it down the line and looked up and saw Zach (Mauro) making a run. I played it in, and he scored a nice tap in just past the keeper.

What’s better, scoring or getting an assist?

They are equal in my opinion. I like when I can help teammates, and we both get that feeling in a big game or big moment. It think that’s one of the greatest feelings you can have in soccer.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

We move the ball really well from side to side. We play to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I think we never lose our heads. We stay mentally strong throughout the game. We don’t change the way we play. We make teams adapt to us. I think that we are really strong at just sticking to the way we know how to play.

What are the team’s goals for the rest of the season?

To go undefeated in section and then hopefully go and win WPIALs. That would be great. Obviously, then move on to states and make it as far as we possibly can.

What does it take to advance in the playoffs?

It takes effort from everyone. Everybody has to be focused and locked in when we play. We have to communicate, take practice seriously. We have make sure we all stay together as a team. We can’t switch the way we play. We just have to keep playing as a team.

How did you get started in soccer?

I started because of my older sister. When I was younger, she used to play and I would go to the field and watch her play. Eventually, I picked up on it and started to play for Plum. Then, I moved on to Cup soccer. Last year I played for BVB 05 in Pittsburgh. This year I play for Steel City 06.

Have you made any plans for next fall?

I want to play in college next fall. I’m uncommitted.

How many miles would you say you run in a game?

Probably around the 7-mile range.

Who is the toughest player you’ve faced?

Probably Dom Kaforey. He’s a really good defender. He holds Franklin’s defense together.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Prime-rib roast with potatoes and mushrooms.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area?

Juniper Grill in Murrysville.

What’s something people might not know about you?

That I really enjoy engineering and problems like that.

How do you think the Steelers will finish this season?

They should finish decent.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Plum, Riverview