Norwin clinches 1st outright section title in 6 years with win over Penn-Trafford

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, October 6, 2025 | 10:04 PM

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Fifth-ranked Norwin secured its first outright section championship since 2019 and ran its winning streak to 11 with a 1-0 victory over Penn-Trafford on Monday night in a Section 1-4A girls soccer game teeming with playoff atmosphere at Norwin Knights Stadium.

The longtime Westmoreland County rivals staged another one of their defensive-minded battles as the back lines stood tall, physical play ruled the day and one goal was enough.

“We felt (a goal) was coming there,” Norwin coach Ashley DeVito said. “We just had to remain patient and keep our identity. We couldn’t play with desperation. We had to keep chipping away.”

Penn-Trafford’s defense repelled shot after shot, with goalkeeper Alannah Hall making a series of impressive saves, eight in total. But Norwin (12-2 9-0) finally broke through and held on to sweep the Lady Warriors (8-6-1, 6-3).

Siena Ali scored in the 68th minute, banging home a header off a well-fitted corner serve from McKenzie Carpenter.

Norwin had just come up short on a corner try when another instantly followed. After a quick reset, the Lady Knights pulled back the arrow again and finished.

“I knew I had it because my little sister was sending it to me,” said Ali, who has six goals this season. “We call each other big sisters and little sisters. We’re a family. I was in the right place at the right time. This is huge for us, especially beating our rival P-T.”

DeVito said Penn-Trafford had extra marks on Cam Reed on the zoned corner, which allowed Ali to gain spacing and strike.

Norwin has outscored its section opponents 51-1. It has allowed only two goals since Sept. 10.

Goalie Rebecca Kostrobala made four saves as Norwin posted its ninth shutout of the season.

Penn-Trafford, which had won three in a row, was outshot 10-4.

“(Norwin) made one more play than we did,” Penn-Trafford coach Jimmy Mastroianni said. “Our girls gave their all for all 80 minutes. We had some nice opportunities. This was a great test for us and will help to get us ready (for the playoffs).”

While they loaded the back with bodies, the Lady Warriors had few chances to kick the ball long to create opportunities for goal-scoring threats Ellie Lebe, Emilie Oslosky and Tori Yurt. They also had limited set pieces.

The defensive game plan was nearly flawless. But Norwin’s was equally on point as it prevented the section’s highest-scoring team from converting.

Penn-Trafford has three one-goal losses in two weeks.

“We wanted to limit their good shots on goal,” Mastroianni said. “We did a nice job of that. We had a ton of blocked shots tonight.”

In the first half, Hall stopped a header by Reed as Norwin threatened off a corner kick in the 36th minute.

Anna Coy was lined up in front of the post and knocked away with her left shoulder a shot by Reed in the 57th minute.

“Anna is starting to hum,” Mastroianni said. “Alannah was really strong between the posts.”

Three minutes later, the Knights challenged Hall again, but she was up to the task. Ali took a feed off a direct kick and fired in front, but Hall made the point-blank save.

“I am really proud of our girls,” DeVito said. “I see how hard they work every day. To see that work pay off, they deserve it.”

Norwin won the first game earlier in the season against the Lady Warriors, 3-0.

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

Tags: Norwin, Penn-Trafford