Behind stingy defense, North Allegheny girls eye return to WPIAL finals

By: John Grupp
Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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North Allegheny’s 0-0 double-overtime tie at top-ranked Seneca Valley on Oct. 7 was emblematic of the Tigers’ season.

The defense was again outstanding, while the attack remains a work in progress.

“We feel very good about the style of soccer that we play, and we can compete with the other teams out there,” coach Chuck Kelley said. “The goals are coming.”

Despite dealing with injuries and inexperience, the Tigers (8-5-1, 4-2-1 in Section 3-4A as of Oct. 8) have clinched a WPIAL girls soccer playoff berth for the eighth consecutive season. The Tigers, who lost to Fox Chapel, 1-0, in overtime in last year’s WPIAL Class 4A championship game, will begin their bid to return to the finals when the playoffs open Oct. 19.

“We’ve had to adapt,” said junior midfielder Emma Schupansky, who shares the team lead with four goals. “I think a lot of players have stepped up, and we’ve grown.”

After shutout losses to WPIAL Class 3A No. 1 Fox Chapel and WPIAL Class 4A No. 2 Peters Township in a three-day span in late September, the Tigers rebounded with their best three-game stretch of the season. Third-ranked NA blanked North Hills and Pine-Richland before playing Seneca Valley (6-0-1, 11-2-2) to a scoreless draw.

“Those games are definitely going to bring momentum into the second half of the season and into the playoffs,” Schupansky said. “The goal this year is to be back in that position and back into a WPIAL finals. Even with some tough losses this year, I think our team only grows from that and it makes us even more determined to keep working.”

Contrasted with last season’s experienced, high-scoring attack, this year’s Tigers are playing with a different style. Kelley said last year’s team averaged 20-25 shots per game, while this year is at about 15. As a result, scoring is down, with the Tigers averaging 2 goals a game. But they have allowed only 10 goals all season, with nine shutouts in 14 games.

“It’s young players going out and being consistent in the way they play,” said Kelley, in his 10th season. “It takes a little bit longer. The kids have the talent. It’s just are all the pieces coming together at the right time. The past couple of games we’ve been able to get over that hump.”

The Tigers are playing without all-WPIAL senior defender Maddie Miller, who suffered a midseason knee injury, but senior midfielder Rowan Barsotti (knee) has been cleared to return.

Top players include senior defender Elliana Vitale and sophomore forward Kieran Shannon, a pair of second-team all-section picks last season, along with senior goalie Maggie Nestor, junior forward Averie Bierker, senior forward Izzy Costa, junior defender Ava Hutter and sophomore midfielder Mia Barsotti.

The chemistry is enhanced with team-bonding activities such as dinners, laser tag and even a pickleball tournament at North Park on Oct. 5. The players are hoping to bring home the program’s fourth WPIAL title in the past six seasons.

“We look good,” Kelley said. “We’ve been tested throughout the year. There’s been some bumps in the road through injuries and different circumstances that have tested us. It’s helped provide clarity in the way we want to play.”

Tags: North Allegheny