North Allegheny field hockey finds saving Grace

By: John Grupp
Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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North Allegheny field hockey coach Michelle Kessler was scanning her roster, searching for something that maybe didn’t even exist.

“We needed to find a fourth goalkeeper,” she said.

“When I was looking at the roster, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. Who am I going to ask to be the goalie?’ ”

Then Kessler found her saving Grace.

Grace Zahorchak, a junior midfielder, is a longtime ice hockey player and softball catcher, two qualities that have translated into the net for the injury-depleted, goalie-starved Tigers.

“When I approached her, she didn’t hesitate,” Kessler said. “She’s been great for us.”

Zahorchak allowed a total of one goal in her first three starts, including a 0-0 tie with Mt. Lebanon in her Sept. 2 debut.

She blanked Norwin, 7-0, on Sept. 8, improving the Tigers to 2-0-1 in the section (2-1-3 overall) and running their unbeaten streak to five games.

Not bad for someone whose previous goalie experience consisted of one start about four years ago for a 12U ice hockey team.

“I was just surprised they asked me to do it,” Zahorchak said.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I was like, ‘I guess I’ll do it.’ I was willing to do it because someone had to.”

The 5-foot-8 Zahorchak put on field hockey pads for the first time one day before her debut.

The stakes were high. It was the Tigers’ home opener, and the opponent was Mt. Lebanon, which had beaten North Allegheny four times last season, including in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals.

“I was really nervous,” Zahorchak said. “To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes going into it. I knew my defense was going to help me, but it turned out way better than I thought it was going to.”

“Grace is doing an amazing job,” said all-WPIAL Class 3A senior midfielder Emi Barreiro.

Kessler lost all-WPIAL goalkeeper Kayla Joyce to graduation and then was forced to start goalie-hunting after senior Alaina Roth suffered a concussion before the third game.

Roth’s backup was already out with a broken wrist, so freshman Ellie Torchia, the JV goalie, was forced into an emergency start in an eventual 1-1 tie with Penn-Trafford on Aug. 28.

Because the varsity and JV games are held back-to-back, Torchia wasn’t a long-term answer.

Enter Zahorchak, who swapped her midfield gear for a goalie stick and pads. She had been playing ice hockey and softball since she was little, so wearing pads or stopping a fast-moving ball wasn’t new to her.

“I think it was mostly the confidence that I had going into it,” she said. “I know the padding is going to protect me. I can get in front of the ball, and I’ll be OK doing it.”

Zahorchak has received a lot of help as the Tigers look to rebuild. They returned only three starters — all-WPIAL junior forward Addison Burns, junior defender Alexa Volk and Barreiro.

“We lost a huge chunk of our starting lineup,” Kessler said. “There were a ton of holes on the field that needed to be filled. We have a young team, and I think they have already proved themselves.”

Said Barreiro, “I think the team is doing well. I think it’s a great experience for the young girls to be playing with us. A lot of them play club, so they definitely have the skill level to keep up.”

Burns, who had a team-high 14 goals last year, scored three goals at Norwin to give her eight on the young season.

Senior Fiola Ragan, sophomore Cailyn Graham and Volk fortify the Tigers’ backline.

“They have been doing great,” Zahorchak said. “They are giving me a lot of direction and telling me what I need to do to help them help me.”

Roth should be returning “in a few weeks,” according to Kessler. The Tigers have a lot at stake down the road.

The WPIAL championships will be held at North Allegheny this year for the first time since 2017.

While Zahorchak said she is enjoying the new position, her goalkeeping days are likely numbered.

“I think it’s a fun experience to have,” she said.

“But I do prefer midfield. When Alaina comes back, I’m going to pass it over to her.”

Tags: North Allegheny