Freeport girls soccer team inching toward goal of section title with big match vs. North Catholic looming

By: Michael Love
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 9:23 PM

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At the beginning of the season, Freeport girls soccer players came together and established their expectations for the season.

A section title, a deep run in the WPIAL playoffs and a trip to the PIAA tournament were some of the high marks on that list.

But they also broke it down into smaller segments, where a good practice would build to the next one, which then would build to a productive scrimmage and on to the nonsection and section schedule.

“We knew we had to take step-by-step accomplishments and understand that we couldn’t look too far ahead,” senior goalkeeper Alyssa Alcorn said. “We’ve done a good job with that. We’re excited for what we can accomplish down the road this season, but we’re just as excited for our next game.”

That next game, Wednesday evening at home against North Catholic, is a rematch of a Freeport 4-0 victory over the Trojanettes from Sept. 10. The Yellowjackets, 11-1 overall and at the top of Section 2-2A at 7-0, have won 10 in a row, including two in overtime, since their lone loss, 1-0 to Butler on Aug. 27.

Freeport is in position to clinch at least a tie for the section title with a win against North Catholic.

Yellowjackets coach Steve Kukic said the Trojanettes are improved from the first time the teams met and will be a great challenge at Freeport Area Athletic Stadium.

North Catholic is 4-0 since the loss to Freeport and have outscored their opponents by a combined 23-0.

That streak included Monday’s 2-0 victory over Burrell, which put the teams in a tie for second place in the section at 5-2.

“Honestly, I thought that game (between North Catholic and Burrell) could’ve gone either way,” Kukic said. “I knew Burrell beat them the first time, but it seems North Catholic has really found themselves. They haven’t given up a goal since we played them, so we know tomorrow is going to be a tough matchup.

“I try to have the girls not look into rankings, records, or anything like that. The leadership of the seniors, the captains and other veteran players has been awesome. They know what they need to do going into each game. We’ve tried to keep them even-keeled where they don’t get overconfident, and they’ve responded with pretty steady play.”

Freeport visits Burrell on Monday in a rematch of a 3-1 Yellowjackets win Sept. 15.

It is expected to have a playoff feel with the postseason a little more than a week away.

Freeport experienced that playoff atmosphere in an intense nonsection matchup at Class 2A contender Mt. Pleasant last Saturday.

The teams battled through 80 minutes of regulation and then through one overtime period. Time was winding down in the second overtime when sophomore Elena Jenkins lifted her team to victory with a goal off a pass from fellow senior Peyton Los.

“I think we needed that kind of game, the way it played out,” Jenkins said. “It gave us the feeling of what we can expect going into the playoffs. I am sure it will be the same with North Catholic and then Burrell.

“It was just an emotional celebration. It was so exciting because we had worked so hard for each other the whole game.”

The goal was Jenkins’ eighth of the season, tying her with senior Nia DiSanti, five behind junior Camryn Woods’ team-leading 13.

Just before Jenkins’ game-winner, Alcorn stopped a shot off a dangerous breakaway from Vikings leading scorer Morgan Gesinski.

“(Gesinski) is very left-footed, so when I saw it on her right foot, I instantly knew she was going to try to chip it over my head or something like that,” Alcorn said.

“She wasn’t going to have much power on it. I knew she was their top scorer, so I just had to handle my business.”

Kukic said the game with Mt. Pleasant was very physical but well played throughout.

“A number of the players got banged up,” he said.

“Mt. Pleasant is a very good, tough team. We hit the cross bar a couple of times, and their goalkeeper made a couple of nice saves. We were just a step off with each other at times connecting in the offensive third. Putting away more of our chances is going to be huge for us. But overall, we played so hard and so well. I couldn’t have been prouder.”

The Mt. Pleasant shutout was Freeport’s eighth of the season. Of the five goals surrendered over its 12 games, three came against Shady Side Academy in a 3-2 overtime victory Sept. 3 and a 2-1 triumph Sept. 24.

“My defense in front of me is great,” Alcorn said. “They have saved me many times. We have a great connection. We’ve all been playing with each other since we were really young. There is that chemistry on the defense that really flows throughout the whole team. It is all connected.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Freeport