Greensburg Salem upsets Shaler, heads to Penguins Cup final vs. Chartiers Valley

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 10:56 PM

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Greensburg Salem gave up eight goals in each of its previous two meetings against Shaler in the PIHL Class A regular season.

It was a different story Wednesday during their Penguins Cup semifinal at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center.

The Golden Lions won their eighth consecutive game and third in the playoffs by stunning No. 3 Shaler, 2-1.

Luke Dieter scored on a penalty shot with 6 minutes, 9 seconds left in the second period to clinch the win for the Golden Lions. It was Dieter’s third goal of the playoffs.

Greensburg Salem will face Chartiers Valley in the Penguins Cup final Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. Chartiers Valley defeated Indiana, 2-1.

The Golden Lions defeated Plum and Quaker Valley in their previous playoff game.

Shaler, which had won the previous two games 8-4 and 8-1 took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Dylan Marsden. It was the only shot to get past Greensburg Salem goalie Tristan Gonzales, who had 29 saves.

Greensburg Salem tied the score early in the second period on a goal by Chase Kushner. It was his first goal of the playoffs.

“We executed our game plan,” Gonzales said. “We played really well. The guys did a good job keeping bodies from in front of the net and making sure they could clear the puck.

“This is huge for the program. It’s our first trip to the finals. We lost in the semifinals to Kiski a year ago.”

Shaler was on a power play when Dieter swiped the puck and headed toward the goal. He was hooked by Matt Stelitano, setting up the penalty shot.

Dieter faked to his right and chipped in a backhander for the winner.

Greensburg Salem’s defense tightened the rest of the way, limiting Shaler’s chances.

“Tristan has been oustanding throught these entire playoffs,” coach Corey Mentch said. “He’s actually been unbelievable. Our defense really did a great job taking the body, clearing pucks, blocking shots. It was an incredible effort.”

Chartiers Valley 2, Indiana 1

The Colts got goals from Noah Callender in the first period and Tyler Held, a power-play tally in the second period, and held off Indiana.

The Indians tied the score on a penalty shot by Phil Bell to begin the second period.

Chartiers Valley outshot Indiana, 28-22. Callender added an assist on the winning goal.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.