Fox Chapel boys soccer team bows out of PIAA playoffs

By: Jeffrey Kauffman
Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 9:57 PM

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CHAMBERBSURG — Saturday’s PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal game between Fox Chapel and District 3’s Warwick was a seesaw affair with no real statistical advantage for either team. The sides went back and forth looking for an opening but produced few dangerous chances in a 2-1 Warwick victory.

Fox Chapel finally got its chance as Carson Krushansky was taken down in the box and converted the penalty kick at the 3-minute, 57-second mark of the first half.

The Warwick keeper broke left, and Krushansky dropped it behind him.

Warwick then tightened up the defense, allowing the Foxes very little room. Fox Chapel had a couple of minor chances, but a bad touch or pass in the final third took away its hopes.

Warwick had a great chance after a penalty at the edge of the penalty box.

Trevor Wright took the kick, which glanced off the head of a defender and behind keeper Brady Matthews for the equalizer at 16:02 of the second half.

Both keepers did a solid job of reading the play and coming off their line to slow down the offenses.

The sun played a role in the second Warwick goal as a set piece was sent in by AJ Schwartz. The goalie put up his hands, unable to see the ball. It hit him, and Eli Yerger was there to clean it up for the 2-1 Warwick lead at the 6:15 mark.

“You could call it a lucky goal, but it takes players to think ahead and prepare for the miss,” Warwick coach Matt Wagner said. “I thought Fox Chapel, especially their forwards and number 9 (Milo Chui), created opportunities throughout the game. I am proud of our kids for the grit they showed and doing what they needed to do to move on.”

Fox Chapel had the better of the chances and the corner kicks, but the ball didn’t ‘t bounce its way. The Foxes end their season at 14-5-2 after winning the WPIAL title.

Tags: Fox Chapel