North Allegheny boys soccer spreading the wealth

By: John Grupp
Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The North Allegheny boys soccer team is using balance to replace brilliance.

After graduating their top five scorers, including an all-state forward, the Tigers are spreading around the goals on their path to the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs.

“The way we play, it is so focused on possession and keeping the ball,” senior midfielder Leo Yu said. “Everyone is getting their share of goals. It’s a good thing.”

North Allegheny’s first nine goals this season were scored by nine different players, and 15 have scored at least once for the Tigers (8-3-2, 4-2-1 in Section 3-4A).

The spread-the-wealth approach has taken the pressure off an attack that is rebuilding after graduating all-state Nathan Katari and a host of goal scorers.

“I think we are finally kind of hitting our stride,” coach Manuel Montero said. “Overall, we’re a young team. We have a good group of players.”

Junior forward Francis Randiga, a first-year starter, has a team-high five goals, including the winner with six seconds to play in a 2-1 victory over Upper St. Clair.

Senior Emmett Morris and junior Owen Lopresti are next with three goals. Lopresti scored the game-winner in a 3-2 overtime victory at WPIAL Class 3A No. 1 Hampton on Sept. 27. Morris netted the winner in a 2-1 playoff-clinching OT victory at Pine-Richland three days later.

Four Tigers have scored two goals, and eight have one, including sophomore Robbie Murray, who netted the game-winner in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over North Hills on Sept. 25.

“We don’t have to rely on someone if they are having a bad game,” Yu said. “Anyone can step up to that role and act as that game-changer for every game. As long as we continue to score more goals, having a lot of people score is perfect.”

North Allegheny closes out section play Oct. 9 at Fox Chapel, looking to avenge a 1-0 loss in their first meeting. The Tigers will learn their WPIAL Class 4A playoff opponent when the brackets are released Oct. 15.

The Tigers also are doing a good job of preventing goals. They have allowed only 13 all season as first-year starter Xavier Zyskowski grows more comfortable in the net. The senior made a pair of game-saving stops in a scoreless double-overtime tie with Norwin.

“Xavier has been great,” Montero said. “He has improved tremendously. He’s really had to work hard to get to where he is right now. … There are a couple of things he could have done better, but he’s kept us in every game.”

The Tigers’ attack is getting better. After scoring more than two goals only once in an eight-game span, North Allegheny posted back-to-back 3-2 wins over North Hills and Hampton.

“Basically, our entire attacking line is new,” Yu said. “They are getting used to it, and it is still probably our biggest work in progress. But we are figuring things out, and once we get there, we will be good to go.”

Tags: North Allegheny