High school notes: Mt. Pleasant’s Gesinski, Latrobe’s Reilly in contention for WPIAL soccer award

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, November 3, 2024 | 5:09 PM

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A local pair are among four finalists for the 6th Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player of the Year, presented to the top girls soccer player in the WPIAL.

For the first time, there are four finalists.

They include junior forward Morgan Gesinski of Mt. Pleasant and Latrobe senior midfielder Robin Reilly.

They were joined by junior goalkeeper Molly Kubistek of Peters Township and sophomore forward Emily McKee of Fox Chapel.

A committee of organizers, media and coaches make up a selection committee, which votes to select a watch list, finalists and ultimately a winner, which will be announced after the PIAA finals.

Gesinski led the WPIAL in goals during the regular season with 33. She helped Mt. Pleasant earn the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL 2A playoffs.

Gesinski has 97 career goals.

Reilly, a two-time finalist, is a West Virginia commit. She finished her prep career as Latrobe’s all-time leader in goals (61) and assists (44).

The Rosensteel Award is named for the late Katelyn “Moe” Rosensteel, a former Ringgold standout.

Past winners are Ellie Coffield of Mars, Sarah Schupansky of North Allegheny, Kelsey Salopek of Steel Valley, Hailey Longwell of Moon and Lola Abraham of Riverview.

Agostoni all-state

Latrobe soccer standout Roman Agostoni was recognized for his breakthrough senior season.

The high-scoring midfielder was named to the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State list.

Agostoni, who is receiving Division I college attention, led Westmoreland County with 33 goals.

All-WPIAL

The Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association announced its All-WPIAL boys soccer lists, and a number of local players were selected.

Norwin’s Daniel Maddock was the lone area selection in Class 4A, while Roman Agostoni and Warren Agostoni of Latrobe, Danny Christafano and Jovan Sankoorikal of Franklin Regional and Belle Vernon’s Trevor Kovatch made it in 3A.

In Class 2A, Aiden Johnson of Mt. Pleasant and Billy Kowalkowski of Burrell were picked, while Jackson Vacanti was the only local player chosen in Class A.

State volleyball

Two local girls volleyball teams will open the PIAA playoffs Tuesday.

In Class 2A, Southmoreland (16-5) will be at North Star (15-4) for a 7 p.m. start, while WPIAL Class A champion Greensburg Central Catholic (17-3) hosts Clarion-Limestone (18-1) at 6.

Sign of the times

The time for college recruits to sign with schools is fast approaching.

National Letter of Intent Day for all Division I and II sports other than football is Nov. 13.

The early signing day for Division I and II football is Dec. 4. The regular signing period for football starts Feb. 5.

Deep pool

Mt. Pleasant will have quite a signing day Nov. 13 for its swimming program.

Four Division I commits will sign with their respective schools.

They are: Kiersten O’Connor (Connecticut), Lily King (North Carolina State), Joe Gardner (Pitt) and David Mutter (Alabama).

The accomplished quartet has been part of a record-setting wave of swimmers who have collected numerous WPIAL and PIAA medals during their time at Mt. Pleasant.

State soccer

Only two Westmoreland County teams will compete in the PIAA soccer playoffs, a low number compared to recent years.

The Franklin Regional boys (3A) and Burrell girls (2A) will open state competition Tuesday.

P-T unbeaten

Penn-Trafford is the only undefeated hockey team in PIHL Class 2A as the season approaches the end of its first month.

The Warriors (4-0) have three shutouts and have outscored their opponents 20-4.

Warriors sophomore forward Brock Bienemann is tied for the 2A lead in scoring with 12 points on eight goals and four assists.

Aiden Drotos, another sophomore forward, is tied for sixth with eight points.

Franklin Regional, meantime, is off to a 3-1 start in its new 3A class and tied for first place with Mt. Lebanon and Thomas Jefferson.

Junior forward Brendan Yohe has two goals and four assists for six points to lead the Panthers.

Recruiting

• Norwin senior shortstop Nate Silberman announced a verbal commitment to Seton Hill baseball. Last season, he hit .392 with 12 runs, 12 RBI with a .900 OPS.

• Belle Vernon senior baseball player Cole Matusik will play at Washington & Jefferson. He is an outfielder and pitcher.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Franklin Regional, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, Penn-Trafford