Peters Township Returns to Top of WPIAL Girls AAA Soccer Hill

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, November 3, 2012 | 10:08 PM

After falling a year ago in this very game, the two-time defending PIAA champion Peters Township Indians would not be denied WPIAL gold on this first Saturday night in November, defeating the 2^nd seeded Seneca Valley Raiders 2-1 in double overtime to win the Class AAA girls soccer championship.

From the opening whistle, the Indians were strong offensively, led by their two 30 goal scorers, Veronica Latsko and Olivia Roberson.

Despite sustained offensive pressure from Peters Township in the 1^st half, it was the Raiders that got on the board first. Indians midfielder Nicole Hume committed a foul deep in Peters Township territory, which gave Seneca Valley’s leading goal scorer, Morgan Williams, a free kick. Despite a wall of four Peters Township defenders in front of her, Williams scooted the ball to the left and found the back of the net past Indians goalkeeper Carly Johns in the 30^th minute to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead.

That was the score heading into halftime. In the second half, the Raiders focused on playing defense, keeping numerous players behind midfield to prevent a Peters Township scoring opportunity.

But the Indians still found a way to get pressure towards the net. And they finally capitalized in the 69^th minute. After a corner kick, the ball bounced off the right post and right to Madison Santo, who buried it past Raiders goalkeeper Jessica Neill to tie the game. Neill’s performance in goal for Seneca Valley should not be overlooked. She kept the Indians off the board during their numerous flurries in the 1^st half. But Peters Township would prove to be too much for the Raiders.

As the game worked through overtime, the Indians continued to get opportunity after opportunity, but were unable to get the game-winning goal…until the 110^th and final minute.

With about 40 seconds left in double overtime, a Rachel Troscinski corner kick was headed in by Latsko right in front of the net to give Peters Township the victory and the championship.

Peters Township still has a few games to go to defend their PIAA crown, but WPIAL gold tastes just as sweet for the Indians.

Peters Township, Seneca Valley and Bethel Park will represent the WPIAL in the PIAA Class AAA playoffs starting Tuesday.